§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What further initiatives they propose to deal with the problem of unwanted animals and reptiles, particularly at Christmas recently publicised by the RSPCA.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)The Government remain committed to ensuring that the law is adequate to deal with cases of cruelty and abandonment and that the penalties available to the courts for such ill-treatment are condign. The welfare of domestic and captive animals is safeguarded by the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. Under these Acts it is an offence to cause a domestic or captive animal unnecessary suffering or to abandon it in circumstances likely to cause it unnecessary suffering. The maximum fine for offences is £2,000 (£5,000 from October) or six months' imprisonment, or both. Courts may also disqualify offenders from having further custody of animals for such time as they consider fit.