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Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill: Commons stages

10 July 2019

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MPs debated  and approved the Second Reading of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill in the House of Commons on Wednesday 10 July 2019.

Second Reading

The Second Reading of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was approved by the House of Commons without division on Wednesday 10 July 2019.

Closing the debate for the Government, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dr Thérèse Coffey, said;

"One of the key purposes of the Bill is to ensure that there is a deterrent to animal cruelty by extending the maximum sentence possible."

Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill

Have your say

Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Animal Welfare Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament?

If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.

Find out more

Summary of the Bill

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was introduced in the Commons on 25 June 2019. This Bill would increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences from six months to five years in England and Wales. The offences would become triable in the Crown Court as well as the Magistrates' Court.

Keep up to date with all the proceedings and documentation, including amendment papers, on the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill and find out how a Bill becomes an Act of Parliament.

House of Commons Library analysis

The House of Commons Library produces briefing papers to inform MPs and their staff of key issues. The papers contain factual information and a range of opinions on each subject, and aim to be politically impartial.

The Library has published a briefing paper for the Bill.

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