Penrith and the Border’s new MP has spoken in support of a proposal to toughen animal cruelty laws.

Dr Neil Hudson, elected as the MP for Penrith and the Border in December’s General Election, spoke in support of a new bill currently making its way through Parliament.

Currently, a court in England or Wales is restricted in its ability to punish cases of animal cruelty to a maximum of six months in prison, a banning order and an unlimited fine.

However a new bill, introduced in Parliament last week, will if passed give judges the power to jail those convicted of animal cruelty for up to five years.

Dr Hudson said: “As a vet, I am passionate about standing up for animal welfare.

“It’s critically important that we change the law to better protect animals in the future.”