Following an animal rights campaign organised by Kentish Times Newspapers, Conservative MP Roger Gale has promised to include the results of a petition by its readers in a new document being drawn up by an all-party committee.
Gale invited Kentish Times group editor Melody Ryall to the House of Commons after readers responded in their thousands in support of the Crack Down on Cruelty campaign.
Gale said: “I have always said my work for animal welfare is not a political issue. All parties should be concerned with this topic.”
Crack Down on Cruelty was launched by the Kentish Times in 2003 after RSPCA inspectors told the paper of the despair they felt at the light sentences given to those found guilty of animal cruelty. Gale will push for tougher sentences for cruelty to animals and for the government to introduce the post of minister for animals. This role is currently distributed among several departments, which can result in delays in legislation.
Ryall said: “We certainly handed this to the right MP. He was amazed with the results and response from our campaign and believes it will help to get tougher sentences in animal cruelty cases.”
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