Increased penalties imminent as Animal Welfare Act reforms introduced to Parliament
Tougher penalties for people who abuse and neglect animals are a step closer with a Bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act introduced to Parliament this week.
The Bill includes fines of up to $250,000 or 10 years jail for people who mistreat animals and follows extensive community consultation which showed widespread support for the changes.
The new penalties will be a significant increase on the current maximum fine of $50,000 or four years in jail for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal.
More than 1000 people provided feedback on the proposed changes to the Act during community consultation in May this year.
Eight out of 10 respondents backed a new proactive ‘duty of care’ provision that requires owners to provide animals with a minimum level of care, such as adequate food and water.
This provision allows authorities to address neglect before an animal is harmed. This means RSPCA SA can talk to owners about better looking after their animals without having to wait for the animal to be harmed and without having to lay cruelty charges.
RecFish SA Executive Officer Asher Dezsery said RecFish SA is dedicated to promoting sustainable fishing practices and enhancing the recreational fishing experience for everyone.
"With over 365,000 recreational fishers in South Australia, the fishing community will continue to thrive as more people discover the joy of recreationally fishing and collecting their own food sustainably and ethically for their families," Mr Dezsery said.
"Increased animal welfare outcomes within the bill enable unchanged recreational access to state fish resources while simultaneously decreasing poor or irresponsible practices not representative of the fishing community.
The definition of an animal will also be updated to include fish, a change that brings South Australia into line with the rest of the nation. The inclusion of fish aims to address cruel practices such as harvesting shark fins and stingray tails.
Recreational and commercial fishing activities are not affected by the new laws and remain under the control of the Fisheries Management Act.
RecFish SA Executive Officer Asher Dezsery said RecFish SA is dedicated to promoting sustainable fishing practices and enhancing the recreational fishing experience for everyone.
"With over 365,000 recreational fishers in South Australia, the fishing community will continue to thrive as more people discover the joy of recreationally fishing and collecting their own food sustainably and ethically for their families," Mr Dezsery said.
"Increased animal welfare outcomes within the bill enable unchanged recreational access to state fish resources while simultaneously decreasing poor or irresponsible practices not representative of the fishing community."
The amendments also include mandatory reporting of suspected animal welfare offences within the greyhound racing industry and improving regulation and oversight of animal research.
For more information visit the DEW website.
