JMICAWE is delighted that, on our own doorstep, the Scottish Parliament sitting in Edinburgh has passed the amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare (2006) Act to strength protection of companion animals and wildlife in Scotland. On 17th June Members of the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted for the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill to become law.
One of the key parts of the bill are to increase maximum penalties for animal welfare and wildlife crimes, up to 5 years imprisonment, and a significant increase in financial penalties. Also included in the Bill are powers for animal welfare organisations (such as the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to rehome animals that have been seized pending court proceedings. Previously some animals have been held in SSPCA facilities for years until court proceedings had been completed, rather than allowing animals to begin a new life in a new home.
The new Bill also contains the Scottish legislation for ‘Finn’s Law’ to provide protection for service animals (dogs and horses). The law is named after a police dog, Finn, who was attacked and stabbed whilst working with his handler. The law will recognise that animals are not possessions and acknowledges that service animals are entitled to special protections when working for human benefit.
The Bill also provides additional protection for wildlife in Scotland, including an end to the shooting of mountain hares and seals (to protect grouse moors and salmon farms respectively). Scotland has some exceptional wildlife, and this legislation will recognise that we need to share Scotland’s wild spaces with them. JMICAWE director, Prof Cathy Dwyer says:
‘It is good to see that Scotland is continuing to take animal welfare and wildlife protection seriously. In the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission we will be looking at Scottish policy for animals and working to make further improvements in animal welfare.’
