Nottinghamshire Police Dog Quantum
Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping today welcomed the Government’s pledge to offer greater protection to police dogs and horses by backing new legislation.
The Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill has been published in Parliament by North East Hertfordshire MP Sir Oliver Heald and is scheduled for its second reading today (Friday 15 June).
It follows a high-profile campaign following the injury of police dog Finn which was stabbed while pursuing a suspect with his handler PC David Wardell last year.
The proposed legislation, which will remove a section of the current law of self-defence often used by those who harm a service animal, has now been backed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) bringing it one step closer to reality.
Alongside the government’s commitment to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty offences to five years in prison, the proposed law will ensure those who harm service animals receive just punishment.
Welcoming the move, Mr Tipping said: “This is great news for all our hardworking service animals and their handlers who confront danger and put their own lives at risk for the safety of others.
“I’ve always supported Finn’s Law. The need for this additional layer of protection was made all the more serious when our own police dog Quantum was injured in a similar attack.”
Sir Oliver Heald, who presented the Bill, said: “I am delighted that the campaign for Finn’s Law has gained the support of the Government.”
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Posted on Friday 15th June 2018