People who hurt animals can now be jailed for up to five years after a new animal welfare bill was introduced.
The new law, which is to come into effect from June 29, 2021 has raised the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years.
It comes in an effort to crack down on animal cruelty cases like dog fighting, abuse of kittens and puppies and neglect of farm animals.
The new law will apply in England and Wales.
RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: "This act is a huge step forward for animal welfare in the UK and we're delighted that justice will now be served for animals.
"Tougher sentences will act as a stronger deterrent to potential animal abusers and will help us in our aim to cancel out animal cruelty once and for all."
He added: "This reform is long overdue - for many years, the most violent and horrific abuse and cruelty received a maximum penalty of just a few months. We're proud to have some of the best standards of animal welfare in the world but custodial sentences have long been letting us down.
"Every year our officers are faced with cases of the most unimaginable cruelty: animals beaten, stabbed, shot and burned; unwanted or elderly pets being drowned; wild animals shot with crossbows or set on fire; gangs forcing cockerels to fight to the death and breeders cutting off puppies' ears to make them look tough.
"Since the bill was introduced, animals have been starved, shot, stabbed, beaten to death and drowned. At least now, in those cases that leave us heartbroken, our courts will be able to hand out sentences that truly reflect the severity of the crimes."
Over the last three years, the RSPCA has secured 4,103 convictions in the courts in England and Wales and 156 individuals received immediate prison terms.
MP Chris Loder, who brought forward the bill in June 2019, said: "HM The Queen has signed my Bill into law. Those who are cruel to animals can now go to prison for 5 years.
“It has taken years of hard work to realise this - thank you to all involved. The campaign for our animals continues. Banning live exports and non-stunned slaughter next."
