News In Focus
12 December 2005
Animal abusers to go on register
A new database is being set up to record the details of people convicted of animal cruelty.
The Scottish Executive is working with the UK rural affairs department DEFRA to develop a UK-wide database which will be accessible to police, local authorities and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Offenders' addresses and convictions will be recorded on the database, which will extend to including details of those under investigation for cruelty.
Police and animal welfare organisations have welcomed the move, claiming that cruelty towards animals often leads to violent offending such as murder or rape.
Over 460 cases of animal cruelty were recorded by Scottish police in 2004. The Animal Health and Welfare Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament will reform and bring up to date the animal protection law.