express.co.uk
Ricky Gervais, Paul O’Grady, Harry Hill, Tracey Ullman and Sue Perkins have teamed up with UK-based Battersea Dogs And Cats Home for the organization’s #NotFunny campaign to increase the current six-month maximum jail sentence to five years for anyone hurting or neglecting pets, livestock and wildlife.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
As reported by express.co.uk, the five animal-loving comedians are appealing to their fan base to help put pressure on authorities in England and Wales to institute punishments more aligned with those imposed by other European countries.
Battersea Organization
“It’s sickening to hear about innocent dogs and cats enduring terrible suffering at the hands of humans and knowing the law does nothing to protect them, or deter people from committing these acts of cruelty,” said Gervais, a well-respected and long-time proponent of animal welfare who proudly supports Battersea’s campaign for tougher sentences for the worst animal abusers. “Animals can’t stand up for themselves, so we need to do it for them.”
“Six months in prison is nowhere near long enough. You can get more for fly-trapping,” he said referring to a case last March in which a Devon fly-tipper was sentenced to 20 months, while weeks later a man who admitted to stabbing and burning a dog alive was jailed for just 24 weeks.
Battersea Organization
Paul O’Grady who hosts Battersea-based animal series For The Love Of Dogs also expressed his outrage at the lenient sentencing.
South West Londoner
“There’s nothing like looking into an animal’s eyes to see how innocent and trusting they are, and it makes me angry to see the way some people mistreat and abuse them,” he said. “I can’t stand by and watch while those responsible for the most terrible suffering are unlikely to get more than a few weeks in prison. What’s to stop them from doing it again?
According to the article, it is estimated that a staggering five people appear in court every day for sentencing stemming from animal welfare offences.
