Cruelty to animals

Policy: PAC is against the abuse of pet animals and believes perpetrators of abuse should be prosecuted, fined and/or imprisoned. They should usually be prevented from keeping animals for a period of time proportionate to the abuse inflicted.

Background: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 make it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering as well as banning poisoning, mutilation and dog fighting.  It is important that the courts consider animal cruelty to be a serious offence and use the full range of penalties available in the Acts.