Animal Justice Party’s Louise Pfeiffer calls for dedicated Animal Protection Minister ahead of SA election
Following a slew of animal abuse charges through South Australian courts, one rising SA politician has taken aim at the animal protection approach in the state.
Local
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Following a week in which the RSPCA has appeared in suburban Adelaide courts six times prosecuting alleged animal mistreatment, one rising politician says more can be done to reduce animal abuse.
Louise Pfeiffer, the lead candidate for the Animal Justice Party in South Australia’s Legislative Council, says one way to do that is to have a dedicated Animal Protection Minister.
The calls form part of Ms Pfeiffer’s latest policy pitch ahead of Saturday’s state election and follow a pledge to establish an animal offender registration list and an office to oversee all animal cruelty and abuse related issues.
The parliamentary responsibility for animal protection currently falls under the environment portfolio and Ms Pfeiffer says tucking the “critical” issue into an already broad section meant it had been overlooked.
“There are more than 29 million pets in Australia yet there is not a state government which has the foresight to have a dedicated Minister for Animal Protection,” Ms Pfeiffer said.
“South Australians are outraged and angered to see images of animals starving, scared, distressed or tortured.
“(The) Environment Minister has not made a single policy announcement in relation to preventing cruelty against animals, providing affordable vet care or stopping the cycle of violence.
“The Animal Justice Party will work with the government and the other independents to ensure there is a dedicated Minister for Animal Protection.”
Ms Pfeiffer said a dedicated minister would work closely with vets, rescue and welfare groups, breeders, groomers, wildlife organisations and other relevant organisations.
But a state government spokesman said this was not needed.
“A dedicated minister is unnecessary, that responsibility already sits with the Environment Minister,” the spokesman said
A month ago, the party announced its first major South Australian policy to deliver subsidised vet care for low-income earners.
The announcement followed the 2019 prosecution of disability pensioner Geoffrey Mortensen who admitted to two counts of animal neglect when his pet fox terrier Brandy was left untreated for eye, ear, mouth and paw ailments, cancerous lumps and a worm infestation.
Brandy was euthanised after RSPCA inspectors seized her from Mortensen’s property as “the only human thing to do”.
Mortensen was placed on a six-month good behaviour bond, ordered to pay $3960 in costs to the RSPCA and banned from having any more animals.
Under the current Animal Welfare Act the maximum penalty for individuals convicted of ill treating an animal can face is a $50,000 fine or four years behind bars.
‘I tried 15 mins of hypnotherapy a day for IBS and it’s life-changing’
Joanna could only book afternoon flights because she spent her mornings on the toilet with crippling IBS – now her life isn’t dictated by her chronic condition.
Another suspicious fire at a tobacco store in Adelaide’s east
Police have launched an investigation into a suspicious fire at an eastern suburbs smokes store. It comes as a Flinders Park business was targeted two days in a row.