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Source: ONE News -
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Tougher sentences for animal cruelty may be one step closer to becoming law with Prime Minister John Key announcing the Government would consider the issue at Tuesday's caucus meeting.
National MP Simon Bridges is drafting a private members bill, which would increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from three to five years.
The issue has been prominent, with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigating charging two men who slaughtered 33 dogs near Wellsford, north of Auckland, this week.
A spokesman for Key last night said the prime minister was "appalled" by recent animal cruelty cases, the Sunday Star Times reported.
"The government supports ensuring we have appropriate measures to deal with these issues," he said.
"The Simon Bridges member's bill will be considered for adoption as a government bill at an upcoming caucus."
If the government did not adopt the bill, it would not be considered by Parliament until being drawn from a ballot - which could take years.
Labour, Act and the Greens had indicated support for the bill.
Labour leader Phil Goff said on Saturday the party would support it to the committee stage.
"I'm the owner of two dogs and have had pets all my life. There is a human obligation to treat animals humanely and we need to do everything we can to stop these appalling acts," he told the paper.
"We know that there is a link, that people who are capable of committing acts of cruelty against animals are also capable of behaving in a similar manner against human beings."
