Five year jail sentences for animal cruelty in Scotland

The Scottish government is introducing Prison sentences of up to five years for the most serious animal welfare offences in Scotland, under new legislation.

The Government has also introduced unlimited fines and raised the maximum penalties for some wildlife offences.

The changes will also see the introduction of Finn's Law in Scotland which offers extra protection for service animals, by removing the "self defence" plea from those who attack them.

The process for animals taken into possession on welfare grounds to be sold or rehomed quickly will also be improved without the need for a court order.

Kirsteen Campbell, Chief Executive of the Scottish SPCA, said the changes have the potential to be "transformational" for animals across the country.

“Prosecution is a last resort for the Society, but we have long felt the penalties for animal cruelty are too lenient and inconsistent," she said.

"We hope increasing the options available to Sheriffs will lead to fewer people mistreating animals in the first place.”

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said the new penalties would be "robust and proportionate."

She added: "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."

The Animal Rescue Society welcome these new laws that seek to protect the most vulnreable. We can only wait and see if they enforced. Many countries around the world have similar laws, but courts rarely enforce said laws. Scotland is a humane and decent society. Let's hope that the courts do not have to use them too often!