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Animal cruelty and welfareVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
Summary — ss. 4, 5, 6(1)–(2), 7, 8 (unnecessary suffering; mutilation; tail docking; poisoning; animal fighting)
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – general limit in a magistrates' court
- Fine
- Unlimited fine
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
On indictment — ss. 4, 5, 6(1)–(2), 7, 8
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
- Fine
- Unlimited fine
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Summary — s. 9 breach of duty of care
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 51 weeks (6 months for offences before 2 May 2022)
- Fine
- Level 5 on the standard scale (unlimited)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Summary only.
s. 32 as amended by the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 (maxima raised to 5 years for ss. 4–8). Summary reference to 51 weeks reads as 6 months for offences committed before 2 May 2022.