Jacqui feels heartened that court cases involving animals are being taken increasingly seriously: “Justice can be done if everyone involved in the case uses the law appropriately, and if everyone works together.” Following on the trial of Matthysen for decapitating his four-month-old husky pup, there is an increasing lobby of support for the NSPCA’s call for the establishment of courts dedicated to animal cases. (See the Husky Justice website.)

The sentence handed down to the late Mr Matthysen was described as “callous… a laughable sentence”. “We should take a leaf out of New Zealand’s book and deal harshly with such offenders.” (Sunday Times) It is really important that people found guilty of animal cruelty should be appropriately punished - and also counselled, because there is much evidence that such anti-social, callous behaviour often results not only in continued abuse of animals, but also leads to abuse of human beings, especially women and children.

If the law does not allow for tougher punishments, then it is widely thought that it is time the government looked seriously at the law and legislated for punishments more appropriate to the crime. A few of our current cases are discussed further down. .... more reports »