West Dorset MP's has successfully changed the law with his Animal Welfare Act 2021
Mr Loder’s Bill has been signed into law by Her Majesty The Queen
The Animal Welfare (sentencing) Act 2021 will increase the maximum penalty for certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 from six months to up to five years.
Chris Loder introduced his Bill to Parliament in February and it's now been signed into law by Her Majesty The Queen.
The Bill was signed just hours before the end of the Parliamentary Session when, if not having achieved Royal Assent, the Bill would have fallen.
The new law will come into force two months from today.
Chris Loder said:
“Those who are cruel to animals, can now be sent to prison for five years. It has taken months, if not years, of hard work to realise this and I’m delighted that Her Majesty the Queen has signed my Bill into law.
We are renowned as a nation of animal lovers and I believe that Britain can now take the lead on global standards for animal welfare.”
Mr Loder also told us what it means to him to see this become law:
"It's enormously moving for me actually to know that something I have done will benefit so many people and so many animals across this country"