The most common charge for animal hoarding in the UK is a breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This act requires those responsible for animals to take reasonable steps to meet their needs, including providing a suitable diet and environment, and protecting them from pain, suffering, injury, or disease.
Animal hoarding is considered a form of cruelty to animals because it can lead to disease and death. Hoarders often fail to provide basic care for their animals, and the consequences can be long-lasting.
Penalties for animal hoarding can include: Fines, Forfeiture of the animals, Jail time, A ban on owning animals in the future, and A limit on the number of animals that can be owned.
In 2021, Parliament passed the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act, which increased the maximum sentence for animal cruelty offences to five years' custody.
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