Introduce mandatory jail sentences& lifetime bans for animal abandonment/cruelty

We call on the Government to review the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act to introduce stricter mandatory minimum sentences for animal cruelty and abandonment. We also request the creation of a national database of offenders to prevent them from acquiring animals in the future.

This petition was rejected on 10th Mar 2026 as it duplicates an existing petition

The Petition Committee commented:
You may wish to sign the following petitions, which call for similar action: Introduce custodial minimum sentences for animal cruelty offences https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/743142 Create a searchable register of those convicted of serious animal cruelty https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750427 Stronger penalties for animal cruelty and stricter regulations on animal sales https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/740729 Create a national database of convicted animal abusers https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/756424

Reticulating Splines

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Official Petition Site

​"The current legislation is failing to protect our most vulnerable companions. We are seeing a disturbing and frequent increase in animals being tied to lampposts, fences, and trees, abandoned and left to die in the elements. This level of neglect is not just a lapse in care; it is a cruel and calculated act that causes immense suffering. By strengthening the penalties for abandonment and cruelty, we can ensure the law acts as a genuine deterrent.