Response 6003213

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Questions

1. The Scottish Government proposes that the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare offences should be strengthened. Do you agree?

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Yes
No
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Please explain the reasons for your answer.
It is not adequate at the moment and cruelty to animals and the severity of the cruelty is on the increase

2. Do you agree that the maximum prison sentence available for offences under section 19 (unnecessary suffering) and section 23 (animal fighting) should be increased from twelve months to five years imprisonment?

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Yes
No
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Please explain the reasons for your answer.
Definitely dog fighting is abhorrent the sentence needs to show this by the severity being increased

3. Do you agree that there should be no upper limit on fines for offences under section 19 (unnecessary suffering) and section 23 (animal fighting)?

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Yes
No
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Please explain the reasons for your answer.
Each case can be judged individually and gives courts more powers to show severity of cases

4. Other than increasing the maximum penalties for unnecessary suffering; should we amend legislation in any other ways, in regard to attacks on service animals?

Please select one item
Yes
No
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Please explain the reasons for your answer and what you would propose.
Definitely, they are officers in their own right in my opinion and there to protect the public. They should be treated as that in law, they are "employed" by the government and should be protected by the govt. in specific legislation to show they are officers of the law and deserve protection.

5. Do you agree that there should be no statutory time limit for prosecuting offences under section 19 (unnecessary suffering) and section 23 (animal fighting)?

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Yes
No
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6. Do you agree the introduction of proportionate fixed penalty notices would improve the enforcement of animal welfare offences?

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Yes
No
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7. Do you agree that there is a need to speed up the process of making permanent arrangements for animals taken into possession under section 32 of the Act?

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Yes
No
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8. Do you agree that the ability to make suitable permanent arrangements for animals taken into possession (using a court disposal order) after service of a notice and after lapse of a specified period will benefit the welfare of animals?

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Yes
No
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9. Do you agree that the ability to make suitable arrangements for these seized animals after a short period will free up resources of the relevant enforcement authorities and animal welfare charities; allowing them to help a greater number of animals?

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Yes
No
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10. Should such a new power to make permanent arrangements for animals that have been taken into possession apply to all animals, or only to commercially kept animals; such as puppies in breeding facilities, puppies for sale and livestock?

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Yes (all animals)
No (only commerical animals)
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11. Do you agree that the owner or previous keeper should have an opportunity to appeal against permanent arrangements being made within a short time period?

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Yes
No
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12. Do you agree that three weeks is a reasonable period of notice before making suitable permanent arrangements for animals taken into possession?

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Yes
No
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13. Do you agree that the previous keeper should be able to apply for compensation based on the commercial value of these animals, less reasonable costs?

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Yes
No
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About you

What is your name?

Debra King

Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?

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Individual
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