Animal cruelty bill to be fast tracked

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The Government has confirmed it will take over a bill raising the penalty for animal cruelty.

The bill was drafted by Tauranga MP Simon Bridges, who planned to introduce it as a members bill. By becoming a Government bill it can be fast tracked.

Agriculture Minister David Carter said the bill called for an increase in the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from three to five years and he would consider whether it should be widened to make the Animal Welfare Act work better.

The decision to take it over as a government measure was made by the National caucus this morning.

Labour leader Phil Goff said at the weekend he supported Mr Bridges' bill.

Mr Carter said increasing incidences of animal cruelty were "horrifying" many New Zealanders.

- © Fairfax NZ News