Staffordshire’s Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime has welcomed the Government’s backing of a new law offering greater protection to courageous service animals.
Today the service animals’ bill, also known as Finn’s Law, passed its final Commons stages and will proceed to the House of Lords.
Matthew Ellis called for a change in the law just weeks after police dog Finn and his handler were stabbed and seriously injured in Hertfordshire in 2016.
The proposed legislation will remove a section of the current law of self-defence, often used by those who harm a service animal. This change, coupled with the government’s plans to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty offences to five years in prison, will make sure those who harm service animals are punished accordingly.
Commenting on the progress made today, Matthew Ellis said: ‘I am delighted that Finn’s Law has passed another hurdle thanks to all the supporters who have campaigned for service animals to be given greater protection’.
