Scotland needs ‘stronger’ animal cruelty laws

● Tories vow to bring in legislation if the government doesn’t act soon

Scotland’s animal cruelty laws need to be toughened up to stop them “lagging behind” England’s, the Scottish Conservatives have said.

The party said that currently people found guilty of harming animal such as dogs and cats north of the Border can only be given a six-month sentence, or fined up to £5,000.

However, in England the government is legislating for a maximum term of five years.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon indicated in last year’s Programme for Government that she intended to toughen the law.

As it stands, courts also have the power to disqualify people from owning animals in future, as well as other existing punishments.

Finlay Carson, Scottish Conservative animal welfare spokesman, said if no action was taken the party would

0 A maximum prison term of five years for mistreatment of animals is being considered south of the Border move to push legislation through. He said: “The SNP has dragged its feet, and it means those convicted of cruelty against animals like cats and dogs are more or less getting off the hook.

“That’s why we need to at least match the five-year maximum term being legislated for in England, and go further when it comes to education, such as giving funding to animal welfare charities to go in to schools and talk to pupils about these issue, and tackling problems like illegal puppy farming.

“If ministers don’t bring forward plans to address this, we will, and use the opposition majority in parliament to get it through.”

Sarah Moyes, campaigner with Scottish animal charity Onekind, said: “Onekind wholeheartedly supports calls for a maximum term of five years for people who abuse animals. The current maximum of 12 months is by no means long enough, particularly when court discounts and early release provisions are applied.

“We were pleased the Scottish Government included a proposal for longer sentences in last year’s Programme for Government, however this needs to be acted on sooner rather than later.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “These claims are factually inaccurate. Since 2006, the maximum sentence for cruelty to animals in Scotland has been 12 months and a £20,000 fine. Themaximuminenglandand Wales is only six months and a £5,000 fine.

“Scotland is leading the UK in driving up standards of animal welfare.

“We have already committed to increase the maximum sentence in cruelty cases, banned the use of wild animals in travelling circuses, and are introducing a licensing scheme for animal sanctuaries and rehoming centres.”