Politicians from Dartford have spoken out in support Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's campaign for tougher sentencing for animal cruelty.

Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford and Councillor Daisy Page visited the House of Commons yesterday, February 21, to call for up to five years imprisonment to be made available for the worst cases of animal cruelty.

This would be 5 and a half years longer than the current maximum sentence which is six months.

England and Wales currently have the lowest maximum custodial sentencing for animal cruelty in Europe.

Gareth Johnson MP said: “When I worked in the criminal justice system I saw just how inadequate the current penalties for animal cruelty can be.

“It’s time we changed the law to ensure far more than six months in prison is available for the worst offences of animal cruelty.

Cllr Daisy Page, deputy leader of Dartford Labour, said: “England and Wales has one of the lowest animal cruelty sentences in the world.

“It is time to make the punishment fit the crime for animal cruelty. I support Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's campaign to increase the sentence to five years imprisonment.

“I also support Anna Turley MP's sentencing Bill which be receiving its second reading on Friday.”