From every dog and cat, thank you
With your help, maximum animal cruelty sentences have increased from six months to five years.
Together we have changed the law.
What the future brings
The law has changed but our work is not complete. The new sentences will have to be reviewed by the Sentencing Council across England and Wales, an independent body who will advise how they should be applied in practice. Battersea will press on to make sure that tougher sentences for the worst offences are a reality, not just a legal possibility.
We’ll also continue to campaign on animal welfare issues, tackling cruelty wherever we see it. You can sign up to be part of these campaigns here.
Who we are standing up for
Chester
Found with multiple injuries by the side of the road, one-year-old Chester the Saluki has faced a long road to recovery. Battersea’s nurses tenderly cared for Chester every day during his 44-day recovery and he is now living in a loving home in London.
BRYN
At six-weeks old, Bryn was found by a member of the public discarded on a busy road. He was malnourished with a protruding spine and was covered in fleas and lice. After two weeks of loving care from one of Battersea’s foster carers he was ready to go to a new home.
Phoebe
Phoebe arrived at Battersea as a stray, she was emaciated but had full mammary glands, showing that she had had a litter of puppies recently and was most likely used for breeding. Despite her ordeal, Phoebe recovered well and was soon rehomed to a new family.
Sparkle
Sparkle was found in a suitcase in a local park with a polythene bag over her. She was emaciated and terrified, but luckily Battersea’s expert veterinary staff were able to nurse her back to full health and she made a full recovery and went on to find a loving home.