Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of animal (a) abuse and (b) neglect.

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 Act 2006. In 2021, the maximum sentence for this offence was increased to five years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

Sentencing decisions in individual cases are entirely a matter for our independent courts. The Sentencing Council have issued guidelines on animal cruelty which are available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.