www.rspca.org.uk/prosecutions/annualreport
Table 3 Convictions under the following legislation
2014 2013 2012
Animal Welfare Act 2006 2,382 3,870 3,956
Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981
10 48 167
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 6 2 9
Protection of Badgers Act 1992 5 11 7
Protection of Animals Act 1911 2 0 2
Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 11 14 4
Hunting Act 2004 1 9 18
Deer Act 1991 0 2 2
Pet Animals Act 1951 0 2 2
Control of Trade in Endangered
Species (Enforcement)
Regulations 1997
0 2 0
Welfare of Animals (Transport)
(England) Order 2006
0 1 0
Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 1 0 0
Welfare of Animals (Slaughter
and Killing) Regulations 1995
1 0 1
Table 5 Sentencing outcomes under all Acts 5.1 and 5.2
2014 2013 2012
Prison sentences imposed
on individuals
78 88 86
Suspended prison sentences
imposed on individuals
211 220 178
Community sentences imposed
on individuals
514 690 772
Fines imposed on individuals 206 279 255
Conditional discharges imposed
on individuals
155 212 276
Absolute discharges imposed
on individuals
2 1 4
Disqualification orders imposed
on individuals under the Animal
Welfare Act 2006
891 1,161 1,265
5.1 One offender may have more than one sentence imposed.
5.2 A disqualification order can be imposed as a penalty in its own
right, or it can be additional to any other penalty imposed.
Table 6 Appellant proceedings 2014 2013 2012
Total number of appeals 79 94 103
of which
Appeals against conviction 4 10 1
Appeals against sentence 53 57 72
Appeals against both conviction
and sentence
22 27 30
Appeals abandoned by appellant
prior to or at an appeal hearing
15 25 28
Appellants with all convictions
quashed after appeal
1 3 4
Table 4 Convictions for cruelty and neglect
2014 2013 2012
Offences of cruelty contrary to
the Animal Welfare Act 2006
2,382 3,870 3,956
comprising of
Contrary to section 4
(causing unnecessary suffering)
1,181 1,729 1,995
Contrary to section 5
(mutilation)
1 3 2
Contrary to section 6
(tail docking)
3 2 25
Contrary to section 7
(administration of poison)
3 0 4
Contrary to section 8 (fighting) 31 44 48
Contrary to section 9
(duty to ensure welfare)
1,095 1,999 1,806
Contrary to section 34 (9)
(breach of disqualification)
68 93 76
47