A LABOUR MP’s bid to toughen up animal cruelty sentences in the aftermath animal cruelty cases in her constituency was blocked by filibustering Conservatives in Parliament.

Three Conservative MPs who regularly thwart backbench bills deliberately talked out an earlier bill to use up parliamentary time. The Tory Whips then objected to the Redcar MP’s Bill progressing in the dying seconds of Friday’s debate.

She said: “We have worked so hard to bring this important bill before parliament to secure proper justice for animals like Baby and Scamp and the many others treated appallingly, it is really disappointing.

“I am disgusted at the actions of Tory MPs who have undermined democracy to block a bill they didn’t want to progress. Their actions are shameful and one in particular seems to have made it his life’s work to filibuster legislation, including breast cancer treatments and hospital parking charges.”

The Bill will be back on the agenda for Friday March 24 but as it is the last Friday of the session she believes it is unlikely to be heard.

Her proposed bill would increase the maximum sentence available for animal cruelty cases from six months to five years in England and Wales.