Impose a lifetime ban on animal ownership for anyone convicted of animal cruelty
The government should impose a lifetime ban on animal ownership for anyone who causes deliberate suffering to animals. Under current laws, courts can impose bans but these may be short-term, allowing offenders to own animals again after a short period.
Signatures
16,283
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 16,283/100,000
- 20 JUL 2025Petition closedFinal total: 16,283 signatures
- 12 MAY 2025Government respondedDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsGovernment reply
Under the Animal Welfare Act, courts may impose animal ownership bans of varying durations on offenders. We consider it is appropriate for courts to determine such decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Read full response - 17 APR 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 20 JAN 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
We think anyone who harms an animal should never be trusted with one again.
We think there is no reason to believe that a person who has shown a capacity for cruelty will change, especially without proper rehabilitation. We believe a lifetime ban could ensure that once an individual is convicted of animal abuse, they will never again have the power to inflict harm on another animal under their ownership. Animal ownership is a privilege, not a right, and cruelty shouldn't be tolerated.