North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald has welcomed the news that The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill has now passed into law.  

The new law means that animal abusers convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 could face up to five years in prison, whereas previously the maximum sentence was only six months.  

Commenting, Sir Oliver said: “I am delighted at the passing of The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill. Congratulations to Chris Loder MP on a successful campaign. The Bill’s passage into law makes good on promises made to me by the Government during the passage of The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill and completes Finn’s Law part 2. We now have a comprehensive package of legislation to protect Animal Welfare. This is terrific news.”  

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