Animal Welfare Bill published

New legislation to strengthen animal cruelty penalties and improve powers for front-line enforcement agencies has been published.

The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill will increase the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences to five years imprisonment and increase the maximum penalties for various other offences.

The Bill will implement ‘Finn’s Law’ giving extra protection to service animals, and provide a process to allow animals that have been taken into possession on welfare grounds to be sold or rehomed quickly without the need for a court order.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon (above) said: “We want to continue to have the highest standards of welfare for our animals and to have the most robust and proportionate penalties available.

“Through increasing the maximum penalties available for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences, we are ensuring that those who carry out these heinous acts will rightly face the full force of the law, as and where appropriate.

“We also want to see more protection given to service animals such as police dogs and horses, so we will be enacting what has become known as Finn’s law. I believe it is only right that animals which work to keep us safe should be given the fullest protection we can give them in return.

“Animal welfare is a subject I feel very passionately about, and call on stakeholders and parliament to support these bold steps to further improve Scotland’s high animal welfare standards.”

Kirsteen Campbell, Chief Executive of the Scottish SPCA, said: “These exciting changes have the potential to be transformational for animals across the country and the Scottish SPCA.

“The power to rehome animals without a court order would be of massive benefit to their welfare. All receive incredible care from our expert teams, but this is no substitute for a loving home.

“Prosecution is a last resort for the Society, but we have long felt the penalties for animal cruelty are too lenient and inconsistent. We hope increasing the options available to Sheriffs will lead to fewer people mistreating animals in the first place.”

Cats Protection has welcomed the new laws. The charity’s Chief Executive James Yeates said: “Every week we hear of stories where cats, and other animals, have been subjected to horrific cruelty, causing them severe suffering, and often lifelong physical injuries or psychological problems. And sadly, we hear of many cases where cats have died after suffering appalling acts of cruelty.

“Animal cruelty is an abhorrent crime and Cats Protection welcomes this bill which will increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from 12 months to five years.

“This increase reflects the importance that society places on protecting animals from harm and punishing those who are cruel towards them, ensuring Scotland is one of the world leaders on animal welfare issues.”

Cats Protection is the UK’s largest cat charity and during 2018, its 40 volunteer-run branches and four centres in Scotland rehomed 4,000 unwanted cats and neutered more than 14,000 cats.

Dozens of dogs were rescued after a raid on a suspected puppy farm in Moray yesterday. Two were pregnant and have since given birth, leaving the Scottish SPCA to care for 78 dogs.

Inspectors from the charity carried out the raid in an operation with police and Moray Council after concerns were raised about animals at a property.

The dogs are now being cared for by the Scottish SPCA’s dedicated animal care teams. Whilst 60 dogs were seized during the initial raid, two were pregnant at the time and Scotland’s animal welfare charity is now caring for 78.

Kirsteen Campbell, chief executive of the Scottish SPCA, said: “Sadly, many of the dogs we’ve taken are showing signs of disease and infection consistent with intensive breeding.

“Our animal care and veterinary experts have been selflessly working around the clock to provide care for these poor animals since the raid. Whilst it is an immense challenge, the main thing is these dogs are all receiving an amazing amount of love and care.”

“It costs an average of £15 per day to care for a single dog, but money is no object so long as these dogs are now in a safe place. Many of these dogs need ongoing veterinary care and we are going through a lot of food and supplies for the puppies. Any support members of the public can provide is most welcome.”

“We cannot comment further on the specific details of this case as it is a live investigation.”

Moray Council’s highly-trained and experienced Trading Standards officers acted when they spotted several similar adverts of puppies for sale on Gumtree.

The authority’s Trading Standards Manager said the multi-agency approach taken by Moray Council, the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland was vital.

“Our officers’ remit is to deal with consumer protection, however a situation like this throws up many issues which requires the expertise of different agencies.

“I’m pleased that through collaborative working, we’ve been able to safeguard the welfare of the puppies and stop future customers from being exploited. The puppies are now in the experienced and able hands of the Scottish SPCA.”

The Scottish SPCA is in urgent need of Royal Canin puppy milk and cotton pads for toileting and cleaning puppies. Anyone who can help can purchase these through the charity’s Amazon wishlist or drop supplies in to their nearest centre or the Scottish SPCA’s headquarters.