Commentary on Sections Part 2 – Animal Welfare Section 46 – Penalties for offences
224.This section makes provision as to the penalties for an offence under Part 2 of the Act or regulations made under it. Except in the case of an animal fight offence (section 23) or an offence under section 19 (unnecessary suffering), a person who commits an offence under Part 2 is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for up to 6 months or to a fine up to level 5 (currently £5,000) on the standard scale, or to both (subsection (2)). For animal fighting and unnecessary suffering, a person who commits an offence is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for up to 12 months or to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or to both.
225.A person who commits an offence under regulations made under Part 2 of the Act is liable on summary conviction to the penalty specified in the regulations, but these penalties cannot exceed imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine up to level 5 on the standard scale, or both (subsection (3)).