Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is calling on the Government to legislate to increase the maximum custodial sentence for animal cruelty.

The home, which has also released an animal cruelty report, launched a major campaign on February 20 in Westminster to achieve tougher penalties for animal abusers.

At the moment in England and Wales, no matter how much the animal has suffered, courts can only punish the most serious animal cruelty with up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a ban on keeping animals.

Battersea believes the public, a "nation of animal lovers" wants to keep up with other countries who give out harsher sentences and the Government must follow suit.

England and Wales are among the most lenient when it comes to animal cruelty alongside Belgium, Croatia, Macedonia and Luxembourg.

Ireland, Latvia and Northern Ireland are the three least tolerant with a maximum prison sentence of five years.

The report includes evidence animal abusers are also a threat to the public.

It states: "Serious animal cruelty offenders are a high risk to the public as well as to animals.

"Academic studies show they are five times more likely to commit acts of violence, and animal abuse is 11 times more likely around domestic violence."

Last year a London man admitted torturing and killing nine puppies- he had beaten, stabbed and sprayed bleach in their eyes.

He received six months in prison.

In 2015, 933 people were convicted of animal cruelty in England and Wales. Out of those, 91 (10 per cent) received a prison sentence and the average length of sentence was 3.3 months.

Battersea’s Chief Executive, Claire Horton, said: "Battersea’s research into extreme animal cruelty tells us the sentences handed out are actually no punishment at all.

"We and many other rescue centres see shocking cases of cruelty and neglect come through our gates and there are many more that are dumped and don’t even make it off the streets.

"These are the dogs and cats we’re speaking out for today.

"We looked at 100 different jurisdictions across the world and England and Wales’ maximum six-month sentence is the lowest, lagging far behind countries like Ireland at five years and Germany at three years. It would be laughable if it weren’t so shocking."

When the issue of imposing harsher sentences on animal abusers was raised in Parliament in 2013, the Government rejected the idea stating the existing maximum sentences are not imposed.

The minister responding said: "Crucially, for no convictions a judge handed out the maximum sentence of six months.

"We therefore have to ask, why increase the maximum, if the existing one is not being used by the courts?"

The question of proportionality is also raised in report and whether the sentence fits the crime.

It points out fly tipping has a maximum prison sentence of five years while domestic burglary can carry a sentence of more than 14 years.

Claire Horton added: "It’s time to stand up for such animals and bring in tougher sentences."

To join Battersea's campaign, visit www.battersea.org.uk/betheirvoice and use the hashtag #NotFunny on Twitter.