{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/777920.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":777920,"attributes":{"action":"Review animal cruelty sentencing & enforcement and publish an action plan","background":"We call on the Government to commission an independent review of the legal framework for animal cruelty sentencing and enforcement following 2021 sentencing reforms. ","additional_details":"If the review identifies shortcomings, an action plan should be published to improve sentencing consistency, strengthen enforcement and better protect animals.\r\n \r\nParliament increased the maximum sentence for the most serious animal cruelty offences in 2021. We welcome this change, but many people remain concerned that sentencing and enforcement do not always reflect the seriousness of deliberate animal cruelty. We ask the Government to review whether current sentencing and enforcement are achieving their intended purpose and introduce evidence-based improvements where necessary.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":26,"closing_date":"2027-02-20","created_at":"2026-07-23T09:39:44.341Z","updated_at":"2026-08-21T18:43:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-08-20T14:30:55.800Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-07-23T10:14:10.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Vilma Sirmulyte","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"DEFRA","name":"Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"}],"topics":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":26}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Blackburn","ons_code":"E14001102","mp":"Mr Adnan Hussain MP","signature_count":5},{"name":"Blackley and Middleton South","ons_code":"E14001103","mp":"Graham Stringer MP","signature_count":3},{"name":"Bolton North East","ons_code":"E14001110","mp":"Kirith Entwistle MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Burnley","ons_code":"E14001142","mp":"Oliver Ryan MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"Chester South and Eddisbury","ons_code":"E14001164","mp":"Aphra Brandreth MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Derbyshire Dales","ons_code":"E14001195","mp":"John Whitby MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Fylde","ons_code":"E14001242","mp":"Mr Andrew Snowden MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Gedling","ons_code":"E14001245","mp":"Michael Payne MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hazel Grove","ons_code":"E14001277","mp":"Lisa Smart MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hyndburn","ons_code":"E14001299","mp":"Sarah Smith MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"Leigh and Atherton","ons_code":"E14001329","mp":"Jo Platt MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"North West Norfolk","ons_code":"E14001405","mp":"James Wild MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Penrith and Solway","ons_code":"E14001424","mp":"Markus Campbell-Savours MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Preston","ons_code":"E14001433","mp":"Sir Mark Hendrick MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Taunton and Wellington","ons_code":"E14001540","mp":"Gideon Amos MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Wallasey","ons_code":"E14001561","mp":"Rt Hon Dame Angela Eagle MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber","ons_code":"S14000067","mp":"Brendan O'Hara MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":20},{"name":"East Midlands","ons_code":"E","signature_count":2},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":1},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":2},{"name":"Scotland","ons_code":"M","signature_count":1}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}