Data showing the number of defendants proceeded against for offences relating to animal cruelty, in England and Wales from 2003 to 2007 (latest published) are contained in the following table. There is no specific offence for the torture of animals.
The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
Number 2003 999 2004 984 2005 1,061 2006 981 2007 1,064 1 Includes the following offences & statutes; Cruelty to Animals. (Protection of Animals Act 1911). Causing, permitting or failing to prevent unnecessary suffering. (S4 & 32(1) Animal Welfare Act 2006. 2 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Evidence & Analysis Unit - Office for Criminal Justice Reform
Information on the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences relating to the illegal import of animals in England and Wales from 2003 to 2007 (latest available) is in the following table.
The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
Total 2003 16 2004 9 2005 3 2006 16 2007 22 1 Includes the following: Offences under the Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 2006 Offences under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and other Mammals) order 1974 Offences under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997. 2 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Evidence and Analysis Unit, Office for Criminal Justice Reform.
Seven defendants have been found guilty of “breeding or breeding from a fighting dog”, under S.1 (2) (a) of the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, England and Wales in 2007.
The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.