Animal offenders will be given 5 years' imprisonment in England from 2018

The government of England has decided to give maximum punishment of five years imprisonment for the people who commit atrocities to animals. The new rule might get implemented by 2018.

Animals
London, United KingdomA police security sniffer dog works at the Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 23, 2016. Reuters

The government of England has planned to impose up to five years of imprisonment on people who have committed atrocities to animals.

The new decision was announced at the Conservative Party Conference by Environment Secretary Micheal Gove on September 25.

The Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said that majority of people who have committed cruelty against animals were not convicted by law.

According to the Telegraph report, a person who had beaten, choked and stabbed several puppies to death had received only six months of imprisonment and a ban from owning animals. Dog fights are also quite common in England.

"We are a nation of Animal lovers and so we must ensure that those who commit the most shocking cruelty towards animals face suitably tough punishments."

According to reports, he said that the plans will give courts the tools they have requested to deal with the most abhorrent acts," stated Michael Gove.

Sources said that the government plans to issue the legislation draft by New Year. They expect that the rule will come into existence from 2018. The government hopes that political opposition will not be raised against the bill in the parliament.

However, the new rule is applicable only to England as the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their independent rules. Wales already gives maximum punishment of 12 months' imprisonment to animal offenders. Scotland is planning to increase the penalty period to five years' imprisonment.

The new rule in England is thought to bring positive changes in Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, Australia and Canada by bringing the maximum period of imprisonment for animal harmers.

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