THORNBURY and Yate MP Luke Hall has met with Environment Secretary Michael Gove to discuss strengthening legal protections for domestic and farm animals.

With Government currently in the process of considering a new Animal Welfare Bill, Mr Hall took the opportunity to raise concerns about cases where defendants are still able to acquire new livestock, whilst still under investigation for the mistreatment of animals.

He asked Michael Gove to investigate the possibility of giving courts the power to grant injunctions which prevent such people from acquiring new animals, during the interim period.

This comes after a couple were found guilty of a wealth of animal cruelty cases at Ingst Manor Farm in Olveston last week.

Susan Smith, 60, of Ingst Manor Farm, and partner Mark Downes, 50, of New Passage, Pilning, await sentencing on Thursday after being found guilty of 38 animal welfare offences, put forward by the RSPCA, and 19 animal control regulation breaches put forward by South Gloucestershire Council.

RSPCA inspectors visited the farm in March 2015 after concerns were raised and on arrival were met with scenes of suffering, and hundreds of dead animals and body parts piled up and scattered across the large secluded farm.

A strong advocate of animal rights throughout his time in Parliament, Mr Hall has previously led a debate on banning the ivory trade in the UK, served on the Environment Audit Select Committee, and providing his support to plans to reduce the prevalence of single-use plastics which are harmful to both wildlife and marine life.

“As an animal lover, protecting the welfare of all animals is of the utmost importance to me personally,” said Mr Hall.

“Since becoming a Member of Parliament I have seen a number of deeply distressing cases, and it is vital that we do everything possible to prevent avoidable mistreatment.

“I was delighted to see that there are plans to extend the maximum prison sentence for those convicted of animal cruelty from six months, as it is currently, to five years, and this is a fantastic opportunity to go further.”

Speaking about the impact which this would have for our own rural community, South Gloucestershire Cllr Matthew Riddle, who represents the Severn Ward in which Ingst Manor Farm is based, said: “It is important to protect domestic animals and farm livestock from risk of further harm, while a court case is being prepared and heard. The processes of the law can be long.

“Also, there is a great cost in officer time to local councils and therefore to local council taxpayers, and the RSPCA, where animal cruelty continues after charges have been made.”