Petition · past parliament

Increase the maximum sentencing guidelines for animal cruelty offences

Rejected 17 signatures

What the petition asks

The current maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences is six months imprisonment or a fine up to £20,000, with the majority of custodial sentences being suspended so the offender serves no time in prison. Such lenient punishments do not act as a deterrent to crimes against defenceless animals.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

We cannot accept duplicate petitions. We think this petition is similar to yours:

Have tougher, longer sentences for animal cruelty.

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Timeline

12 Aug 2015 Petition opened for signatures
13 Aug 2015 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 17
Status Rejected
Rejected 13 Aug 2015

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.