News Date: Monday 4th September 2006
Tim highlights concern with animal cruelty
Following the release of the RSPCA's annual cruelty statistics Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, has highlighted his concern that cases of animal cruelty have increased both nationally and across Sussex. This is despite the ongoing efforts of the RSPCA to ensure we are all more aware of the need to protect the welfare of our animals.
Sadly 2005 saw a worrying increase in animal cruelty with a 20 per cent national increase in convictions secured by the RSPCA and a 13 per cent increase in defendants convictions. Across Sussex there was a 58 per cent increase in convictions secured, with more than a third increase in defendant convictions.
Tim commented:
"It is very worrying to note that cases of cruelty against animals continue to rise despite the pride many of us take in our being a nation of animal lovers. There were some horrific cases investigated by the RSPCA and it is very important that we continue to raise the public awareness of such cases to ensure that responsible ownership is encouraged amongst all those who do keep pets.
"I would take this opportunity to encourage anyone who suspects acts of animal cruelty are being perpetrated to report them to the RSPCA.
While there was a 6 per cent increase in the number of cases reported to and investigated by the RSPCA nationally, this position was not reflected across Sussex, where cases reported fell from 61 in 2004 to 33 in 2005.
Tim added:
"In Westminster I will continue to support the provisions of the Animal Welfare Bill which is still under consideration. This Bill presents a great opportunity to prevent or punish acts of animal cruelty and I believe that the Animal Welfare Bill will go a long way to protecting the welfare of Britain's animals, which I am sure is an objective we all share.
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Details on the work of the RSPCA can be found at www.rspca.org.uk
Tim Loughton is Treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Animal Welfare.
For more information, please contact Tim Loughton's Westminster office on 020 7219 4471
?, Tim Loughton MP , 2006
