A NORTH-EAST MP has repeated her calls for a ‘Baby’s Law’, which would mean tougher sentences for animal abusers.

Redcar MP Anna Turley joined members from across the political spectrum in the animal welfare debate in the House of Commons, secured by members of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.

Ms Turley made the speech she never got to make when her private members bill ran out of time for debate.

She recalled the story of Baby the bulldog, which was headbutted, jumped on and thrown down a flight of stairs. The animal was put down three months later after losing the use of her hind legs.

Ms Turley also raised the plight of Scamp, a terrier who was buried alive with a nail in its head after a botched attempt at euthanasia.

Speaking in the chamber she said: “We’ll probably never know the full level of cruelty and torture these silent and defenceless animals endured.

“We cannot undo the suffering that was done to them, but we can show each other that this kind of cruelty has no place in our communities.”

And she added: “You would be forgiven for thinking, Mr Speaker, that as a nation of animal lovers, we would expect to be leading the way on these issues. But I’m afraid, in fact we are lagging behind many other countries.

“If we look around the world, we can see that the maximum penalty for animal cruelty in Australia is five years and in Germany it is three years – a maximum of six months here in England and Wales, decided by a magistrate’s court rather than a crown, seems derisory.

“If we are to continue declaring ourselves a nation of animal lovers, it is about time we showed it by sending out the message that we take animal cruelty seriously.”

Conservative MP Neil Parish MP suggested children should be given lessons in how to look after their pets.

And those convicted of animal cruelty offences should face far tougher sentences, with prison terms increased from the current maximum of six months to five years.

Mr Parish, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, said: “The message that it sends – a sentient being that is alive and relies entirely on our human care is beaten to death and so (the perpetrator) gets less than perhaps for stealing a computer. It really is not on.”

But Environment Minister George Eustice said current sentencing practice “does not suggest that the courts are finding sentencing powers inadequate” and that there is “guidance already in the current school curriculum” on pets.