Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Scotland) Act 2021

The Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Scotland) Act 2021 is a law in Scotland that increases penalties for animal cruelty, allowing courts to impose maximum fines up to £200,000 and prison sentences up to five years. It also formally recognizes animals as sentient beings, meaning they can feel pain and experience emotions. This recognition emphasizes the importance of considering animals’ welfare in legal decisions and enhances protections, ensuring that cruelty is met with appropriate legal consequences and that animals are regarded as capable of experiencing suffering.