Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 61456

Animal Welfare: Prison Sentences

Tabled: 19 June 2025

Answered: 26 June 2025

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of custodial sentences for perpetrators of (a) animal abuse and (b) animal neglect.

Answer

Daniel Zeichner

Defra regularly meets the RSPCA and other stakeholders to discuss animal welfare issues affecting the sector including any trends in animal welfare offences. Causing unnecessary suffering to an animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Ac...

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