Animal Fighting (Sentencing) Bill - Stronger Punishments for Animal Fighting

This bill increases the maximum prison sentences for people who organize or take part in animal fighting. Animal fighting means making animals like dogs or cockerels fight each other for sport or gambling. Currently, people convicted of these crimes can be sentenced to up to 6 months in prison. The bill would increase this to up to 5 years in prison. The government says this will better reflect how serious these crimes are and help protect animals from cruelty. The bill covers organizing fights, participating in them, and being present at animal fights. It applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Courts would still decide individual sentences based on each case.

• 1Increases maximum prison sentence for animal fighting from 6 months to 5 years
• 2Covers organizing fights, taking part in them, and attending animal fights
• 3Applies to all types of animal fighting including dog fighting and cockfighting
• 4The government says longer sentences will better match the seriousness of these crimes
• 5Individual sentences would still be decided by courts based on each specific case