Appoint an Animal Ombudsperson

Reports of animal abuse in the UK continue to rise. The RSPCA investigated 141,760 cruelty complaints in 2017, there were only 1,492 convictions by private prosecution. The current maximum custodial sentence for animal abuse is only 6 -months and less than 8% of those convicted of animal abuse serve a custodial sentence, most receive a conditional discharge and/or fine.

A quick search online will reveal shocking and abhorrent animal abuse cases in the UK, with lenient sentences on conviction; these sentences do not act as a form of deterrent for persistent offenders. There is also no way to keep a track of these abusers because of the lack of an animal abuse register and therefore with no record of their abuse, they are often free to rehome or purchase more animals, once the terms of any sentence have been discharged.

Government minister, Michael Gove’s claim that the proposed new 5- year custodial sentence for animal abusers will be the 'gold standard' in animal welfare is grossly misleading. Because of sentencing guidelines in the UK and the current climate of overcrowding in the privately run prison system, a convicted animal abuser will never serve a 5-year jail term. Most animal abusers will continue to receive a conditional discharge and/or a fine. The proposed 5-year sentence will also mean the UK will still lag far behind many countries including America, where there are much harsher sentences for animal abuse.

All other vulnerable groups in society have a legal representative to protect their interests, it can be argued that animals are the most vulnerable of groups, particularly because they cannot speak. And consider this, animal abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence are often linked, see http://nationallinkcoalition.org/faqs/what-is-the-link. Animal abuse can be the first indicator of the potential for further family violence. If children are exposed to animal abuse, it may desensitise them to all forms of violence and indeed they may become perpetrators of the most heinous crimes.

The appointment of an Animal Ombudsperson would be a real step towards a 'gold standard' in animal welfare, benefitting not only animals, but society as a whole. An Animal Ombudsperson would promote and protect the rights of all animals and be independent of politics and governing bodies. The UK claims itself to be a nation of animal lovers, the evidence clearly indicates otherwise, it is now time to give animals the protection they need by appointing an Animal Ombudsperson.