Rejected petition Introduce mandatory jail sentences& lifetime bans for animal abandonment/cruelty

We call on the Government to review the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act to introduce stricter mandatory minimum sentences for animal cruelty and abandonment. We also request the creation of a national database of offenders to prevent them from acquiring animals in the future.

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"The current legislation is failing to protect our most vulnerable companions. We are seeing a disturbing and frequent increase in animals being tied to lampposts, fences, and trees, abandoned and left to die in the elements. This level of neglect is not just a lapse in care; it is a cruel and calculated act that causes immense suffering. By strengthening the penalties for abandonment and cruelty, we can ensure the law acts as a genuine deterrent.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

You may wish to sign the following petitions, which call for similar action:

Introduce custodial minimum sentences for animal cruelty offences
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/743142

Create a searchable register of those convicted of serious animal cruelty
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/750427

Stronger penalties for animal cruelty and stricter regulations on animal sales
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/740729

Create a national database of convicted animal abusers
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/756424

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 17 February 2026
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