New law to give pets better protection

http://www.orange.co.uk/news/uk/2954...ewsukheadlines here is the link to find out more. Basically suspected animal mistreatment cases can be taken to trial by the NSPCA, even if they have seen evidence of this. Also which is good news and about time to is the age of which children can purchase pets has been raised from 12 to 16 years old.
If anybody breaches the new laws then they face a fine up to £20,000 or up to 51 weeks in prison.

I'm aware that cruelty to animals will never cease, but hopefully these new laws will mean that the number of animals suffering will decrease. I can never understand people obtaining animals only to mistreat them, as surely they should be got if you love them and can just importantly provide for them. Until now I don't think enough has been done to ensure animals live a happy life, but now it looks like things are moving in the right direction.
Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated! Lisa x

an excellent move in the right direction

It certainly is as I've felt for along time that animals rights hasn't been taken seriously enough by the law. Lisa x

What's the minimum age you think it should be raised to? Lisa x

Certainly a good thing

Like most things ... 18 but 16 from 12 is a good step

I think 18 would be better also, but at least they're taking animal rights more seriously than they have been. Lisa x

Its about time something was done to take animal rights more seriously. I cant stand people who abuse animals.

i think its reatarded, these laws will take "tramps" dogs away from them which is a bad thing imo... eventhough they don't have the money or best living environments for their dogs these are the only companions many of them have and by brining in this law will mean they won't be able to keep their animals. this law won't do help anything ether and is just another stupid idea thought up to make the government look asif they care... animals will still get "abused" and its not like the 12-15 year olds are the ones who really do much of that, they can't exactly buy a cat or dog without their parents finding out and something like a horse is a little out of their price range.

A mate of mine owns a rescue bullmastif which is a very nice dog but her previous owner wasn't nice, not sure what they did but she will go off if you tempt her and when i was round last summer some woman came along with their kid who went to kick one of his nabours dogs, they weren't pleased and he then was about to kick my mates dog, if he had the dog would have done for him and these dogs can kill an adult, just think about what they would have done to a 2year old and then the mother would have gone off saying that it was my mates fault when he said repetativley to the child not to hit his dog as she will bite so I think the entire thing needs to be completely revived much like social srvices... don't even get me started on them!