Animal cruelty

The definitive guidelines on the sentencing of animal cruelty offences were issued on 10 May 2023 and came into force on 1 July 2023.

• Animal cruelty
• Failure to ensure animal welfare

Related documents

To support the guidelines and consultations, the Council also publishes a range of documents. These documents may include consultation responses, statistical bulletins, resource and equality impact assessments and guideline assessments.

Related documents: Animal cruelty

Archived

Previous archived versions of guidelines can be found below:

• Sentencing Council: Animal cruelty interim guidance for offences on or after 29 June 2021
• Sentencing Council: Animal cruelty (revised 2017)
• Sentencing Guidelines Council Magistrates Court Sentencing Guidelines: Animal cruelty (page 22)