Page 941 - Week 03 - Thursday, 10 March 2016
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In October last year, I tabled a motion noting the efforts of RSPCA ACT, and called on the government to legislate for improved animal welfare, in consultation with our key stakeholders. The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2016 delivers on that undertaking, and demonstrates this government’s commitment to working together with experts in our community. The bill is informed by the experience and expertise of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, the Veterinary Surgeons Board, and the RSPCA, which performs animal welfare inspectorate functions in the ACT.
The RSPCA has identified a number of emerging trends, including an increasing number of cases involving extreme neglect of animals; inspectors being threatened and assaulted on the job; and owners of seized animals indirectly shifting the costs of their animal’s treatment and care to the territory. In relation to legislative and operational matters, both the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and RSPCA expressed concerns about the operation and effectiveness of prohibitions on neglect, cruelty and cockfighting spurs; the need to update the act to improve and assist the performance of animal welfare inspectorate functions; and the operation and range of orders that can be made by the court to deter and prevent cruelty to animals.
A number of recent cases demonstrate these concerns. I would like to warn members that what I am about to discuss may be distressing to some members and to others who are present in the chamber today, and I do apologise in advance, Madam Deputy Speaker. These stories demonstrate the necessity of these reforms, and this is just a small selection. It is also a small selection of the range of issues animal welfare advocates in our community experience on a weekly basis.
In April 2014, the RSPCA visited a home and found four dogs that were emaciated and sick. One dog had an infected ulcer and was infested with mites. A second was infested with fleas. A third had a bacterial infection in its ear. I understand that none of these animals had been treated for any of these conditions. The animals in the yard had no shelter. A fourth dog was found locked inside the house in a room covered with faeces and rubbish. Inspectors believe that this dog had not been given water for several days. The owner was in Queensland. All four of her dogs were starving.
In September 2014, the RSPCA visited a home to investigate complaints about the welfare of two dogs. Both dogs were in poor condition and very skinny. The first dog was infested with fleas and had discharge coming from both eyes and one ear. The second dog, a large rottweiler cross, was tied to a trampoline in the yard, on a lead that gave it only 20 centimetres to move. This dog was unable to access food, water or shelter. It, too, had discharge coming from its eyes. It, too, was suffering from an untreated ear infection. The rottweiler’s skin was thickened and inflamed as a result of untreated dermatitis.
Last year the RSPCA visited a home and found a dog that had suffered third-degree burns to its body after it was scalded in cooking oil. Despite the severity of the injury and his pet’s obvious suffering, the owner had not sought treatment for his pet. One of the animals I have spoken about today had to be put to sleep because it was neglected so badly that an otherwise treatable condition became terminal.
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