This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Circus wild animal ban
29/03/2006
The use of wild animals in travelling circuses will be banned under new powers agreed in Parliament today.
Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Rhona Brankin also confirmed that the maximum penalty for the worst cases of animal abuse will be substantially increased.
Speaking after the Environment and Rural Development Committee (ERDC) this morning, Ms Brankin said:
"I am committed to reducing the needless suffering of all animals in Scotland. The use of wild animals in travelling circuses has prompted concerns over the animals' living conditions which may not meet basic welfare standards. We are therefore introducing regulations which will ban the use of certain non domestic animals in travelling circuses.
"I will consult with a wide range of organisations on which animals should be banned, to ensure that I am able to justify all prohibitions on welfare grounds."
An amendment agreed by the ERDC this morning will increase the maximum penalties which a court can impose for animal cruelty offences from six months imprisonment and a fine of £5,000 to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of £20,000.
Scottish Society for the Prevention of Crulety to Animals (SSPCA) inspectors will now have greater power to deal with people who are failing to take proper care of their animals.
Under new measures they will be able to issue 'care notices' which would give the owner time to make improvements to the care of their animals before a case would be considered for court action.