East Kilbride MP, Dr Lisa Cameron, has backed fines of up to £5000 for animal health and welfare offences.
She has announced her support for the fines being proposed by Tory Romford MP, Andrew Rosindell, calling the move a “positive step for animals in East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow and around the country".
The Animals (Penalty Notices) Bill, a Private Members’ Bill introduced by animal welfare champion Mr Rosindell , which is backed by the UK Government, will create a system of on-the-spot financial penalties of up to £5000 for animal health and welfare offences.
These new penalties will provide the authorities with an additional enforcement measure to be used alongside warnings and criminal prosecution.
This new power will cover all farmed animals alongside kept animals, such as those in zoos and aquariums and companion animals.
The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act has already raised the maximum sentence for animal offences from six months to five years, and new legislation created a separate offence for pet theft.
And Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill was also introduced to Parliament, which will protect animals that are kept in, imported into, or exported from Great Britain from poor living conditions.
This Bill will stop primates being kept as pets and ban the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening.
Ms Cameron said: "Animal cruelty will always and must always be addressed with criminal prosecution, with financial penalties used for less serious offences.
"I am proud to support these proposals which I know will be a positive step for animals in East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow and around the country.
"Enforcement agencies need as many tools as possible when dealing with animal welfare and health offences and penalty notices will provide a quick and efficient way to tackle some offences.
"I want to reassure my constituents that it is my strong view that any acts of cruelty will always beprosecuted and that penalty notices should only be used for less serious offences.”
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