Figures from across Dartford’s political divide joined each other in the House of Commons yesterday to call for tougher sentencing for animal cruelty.

Conservative MP Gareth Johnson and Labour borough councillor Daisy Page want to see five years imprisonment made available for the worst cases, rather than a maximum of six months.

The pair are supporting a campaign by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to see longer jail terms introduced, with a report released by the animal shelter slamming the UK’s animal cruelty sentences as “a joke”.

It reveals that England and Wales have the lowest maximum custodial sentences in Europe for animal cruelty, which at six months pales in comparison for the top jail terms available for those guilty of theft and flytipping.

MP Mr Johnson said: “When I worked in the criminal justice system I saw just how inadequate the current penalties for animal cruelty can be.

“It’s time we changed the law to ensure far more than six months in prison is available for the worst offences of animal cruelty.”

Battersea’s report also cites evidence that animal cruelty offenders go on to commit other serious crimes, and should therefore be treated as a serious offence by the justice system to protect the public.

Cllr Page added: “England and Wales has one of the lowest animal cruelty sentences in the world.

“It is time to make the punishment fit the crime for animal cruelty. I support Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s campaign to increase the sentence to five years imprisonment.

“I also support Anna Turley MP’s sentencing bill which be receiving its second reading on Friday.”

Other animal charities including the RSPCA have already issued their support for the bill, which aims to bring the longer jail terms into law.