Vince Cable

Local animal welfare campaigner, and RSPCA supporter, Stephanie Mackenzie of Twickenham, has enlisted the backing of Vincent Cable MP to support a new Animal Welfare Bill which has just been presented to Parliament, and gave him a petition signed by hundreds of local residents who are backing the Bill.

Vincent Cable with local campaigners supporting the Animal Welfare Bill

Vincent Cable said: "This Bill is an important legislative step forward. In future animal owners will have a "duty of care" and will be prosecuted if they ignore advice to improve their animal's welfare. At present, nothing can be done until suffering starts and the RSPCA has, in the past, had to visit a property up to 25 times before there is sufficient evidence of suffering. A lot can be done through education advice but there needs to be powers of criminal prosecution as a last resort.