Michael Gove is attempting to repair the Government's relations with animal welfare campaigners by unveiling much longer jail terms for cruelty.

The Environment Secretary and leading Cabinet Brexiteer is publishing draft legislation on animal welfare to come into force when the UK leaves the EU.

The move comes just weeks after the Conservatives faced a furious backlash for voting against moves to adopt EU laws recognising that animals feel pain and emotions.

A furore erupted after the Government rejected an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill from Green MP Caroline Lucas, which would have transposed part of the Lisbon Treaty into UK law recognising that animals are sentient lifeforms.

Mr Gove has been forced to act after social media campaigns by 38 Degrees, Compassion in World Farming and other groups targeted Conservative MPs, calling on them to reverse their vote against recognising animal sentience.


Image: Michael Gove wants to increase the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold

Now the Environment Secretary is publishing a draft bill which proposes increasing the maximum prison sentence for animal cruelty tenfold, from six months to five years, in England and Wales.

The bill also proposes ministers "must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing Government policy".

Unveiling his plans after visiting Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Mr Gove claimed: "As we leave the EU we will deliver a Green Brexit, not only maintaining but enhancing animal welfare standards.

"Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, so we are writing that principle into law and ensuring that we protect their welfare.

"Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail.

"We are a nation of animal lovers so we will make Brexit work not just for citizens but for the animals we love and cherish too."

The plans to increase maximum sentences follows cases where courts have said they would have handed down longer sentences had they been available.

Image: Mr Gove with Enid the Bulldog at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

In one case last year, a man trained dogs to torture other animals, including trapping a fox and a terrier dog in a cage to brutally attack each other.

Others included:

:: A man who systematically abused and killed several puppies by beating, choking and stabbing them, sentenced to the maximum six months' imprisonment and banned from owning animals;

:: A man who kicked his girlfriend's dog to death was given a custodial sentence of just over five months, fined £1,000 and banned from owning animals;

:: A man who fed his dog aspirin and paracetamol to try to kill her before beating her to death with a shovel was sentenced to four months in prison and banned from owning animals.

On average, about 1,150 people per year are convicted for animal cruelty, but fewer than five of them receive the current maximum sentence.

Under the Government's plans, courts will retain the ability to hand out an unlimited fine and ban an offender from owning animals in the future.

The proposed legislation will also bring maximum sentences for animal cruelty in England into line with other countries such as Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

Welcoming Mr Gove's proposals, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's chief executive Claire Horton said: "Battersea is greatly encouraged by the Government's willingness to see sentences for the most shocking cases of animal cruelty increase from six months to five years.

"Today's announcement takes a significant step in that direction."

A spokesperson for Mr Gove's department said: "As the Prime Minister has said, we will make the United Kingdom a world leader in the care and protection of animals.

"Today's draft Bill delivers on the intention to increase sentences for the most heinous acts of animal abuse, which we announced in September.

"This government will continue to promote and enhance animal welfare, both now and after we have left the EU."