For some vile reason many people worldwide have no second thought about torturing animals. It seems they believe the life of an animal has little to no worth and its suffering will result in little or no consequence. Well, all this is changing in Australia thanks to an organisation known as BLEATS.

The release of a Koala (named Frodo) into the wild this week, who was shot 15 times, as well as the story which surfaced yesterday about a horrifically mutilated stingray, adds fuel to the fight against animal cruelty and tougher sentencing.

Sadly, animal cruelty acts continue and if caught, perpetrators are punished with little more than a slap on the wrist. Why? Firstly, given the guilty offenders are actually caught and prosecuted, magistrates look to previous cases for sentencing. Secondly, low sentences are generally not taken on appeal. So without tougher sentencing cases of animal cruelty continue with little consequence.

According to BLEATS (Brisbane Lawyers Educating and Advocating for Tougher Sentences), "much of the problem lay in precedent law – that is the Magistrates must look at previous sentences as a guide when sentencing offenders. As the prior sentences handed down were low, a vicious cycle developed."

Although the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 allows for maximum penalties of $75,000 or two years imprisonment for serious crimes against animals, Magistrates seem unwilling to prosecute these cases to the full extent.

For example, in 2009 six soldiers were found guilty of urinating on a littler of kittens, dropping them repeatedly, tying a noose around the head of one and dragging it behind a trail bike at 60kph, and then crushing its skull under the wheels of their ute. They then proceded to douse the remaining kittens with petrol and set them on fire. They were fined a mere $2,000 each.

However, often the culprits guilty of torturing, maiming, starving or even killing animals are never found. Such is the case for the wounded koala that spent 6 months in recovery after being shot, and for the mutilated sting ray released yesterday after a miraculous 2 month recovery. Divers found the sting ray and marine experts confirmed it was not an animal attack but a deliberate mutilation by someone with a knife. He had his tail cut off and clean slices all the way up both of his wings.

Solicitor Tracy-Lynne Geysen started up BLEATS in 2007 because she was horrified by the spate of animal cruelty cases reported in the local media "a report came on about a dog that was found hanging from a tree...then there was the attempted skinning of a live cat and the rescue of close to one hundred animals from a house in Central Queensland. I wanted to see if justice was being served and I found out it manifestly was not!"

"But judgments such as a $400 fine for killing a dog with an axe or a suspended sentence of 3 months for beating and kicking a dog before hurling it into oncoming traffic makes one wonder how "bad" an offence has to be before more Magistrates enforce their powers."

BLEATS, a group of over 150 Brisbane lawyers who feel passionately that animal cruelty offences continue to be inadequately prosecuted, all donate their time, skill, and passion to the Justice for Animals cause. BLEATS work closely with RSPCA Qld to prosecute a number of animal cruelty cases.

To see the difference BLEATS has made on tougher sentencing for animal cruelty view some of the cases BLEATS lawyers have achieved for the RSPCA here.

Support tougher sentencing for animal cruelty as it is one of the best ways to let people know that it is not to be tolerated. Please help stop this cruel behaviour and let people know it is not acceptable in modern society.

The dedicated members of BLEATS have organised the Support Tougher Sentences for Animal Cruelty petition to present to the Australian Judiciary. Sign the petition and give your support for animal justice here.

By supporting BLEATS, and animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA and Animals Asia, we can work towards a world free of the disturbing act of animal cruelty.

written by Grace Gutwein