West Dorset's MP is determined to get tougher sentences for animal cruelty
Chris Loder is hopeful of changing the law
Chris Loder MP's new animal welfare law increases the maximum penalty for certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, from six months to up to five years.
The bill last week passed the House of Lords at a Second Reading.
This means he is now just one step away from the bill being taken to Windsor Castle and HM The Queen giving her Royal Assent, at which point it will become law.
Mr Loder said:
"We are just a couple of steps away before Her Majesty The Queen gives her Royal Assent for my Bill to become law and to get justice for animals through tougher sentencing for animal cruelty."
The MP, who is a fourth-generation farmer's son told us why he feels so strongly about the bill:
"When I was driving home one night I found a spring espanol abandoned on the side of the road and it was quite late and it was literally in the middle of nowhere and I picked her up, took her home and tried to find her owner, but It was quite clear she had been abused. It just really pushed home for me the issue of animal cruelty and that we need to do something about it."
The hope is the bill will be signed into law before the Queen's Speech, which is expected on May 11th.