Pet owners who mistreat animals may face $250,000 fine or a decade in jail

Deputy Premier Susan Close said it was important for animal abusers to know there would be serious consequences.

People who mistreat animals may face up to 10 years in jail in proposed amendments to animal cruelty laws in South Australia.

Penalties for animal cruelty are set to significantly increase to fines of up to $250,000 or up to a decade in jail in a government bid to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act.

Currently, penalties for the mistreatment of animals are up to a $50,000 fine or four years in jail for aggravated offences.

Corporations found guilty of animal cruelty would face fines of up to $1m as part of the reforms to current laws which were last updated in 2008.

The proposed changes are set to be released for community consultation on Monday and also include a duty of care provision that requires owners to provide animals with a minimum level of care.

Environment Minister Susan Close says the animal cruelty law changes will see offenders face serious consequences. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The provision, which targets animals who are underfed or not provided adequate water, aims to prevent neglect before an animal is harmed.

Environment Minister Susan Close said those who deliberately mistreat animals “deserve to face serious consequences”.

“Tougher penalties, along with other reforms to the Animal Welfare Act, will play an important role in reducing incidents of animal cruelty,” Dr Close said.

The proposed amendments would also recognise fish as animals in a move designed to stop deliberate cruelty such as cutting fins off live sharks.

RSPCA SA chief executive Marcus Gehrig and Environment Minister Susan Close. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Other measures in the proposed change include recognising interstate animal cruelty bans and recognising that animals experience pain and fear.

RSPCA SA chief executive Marcus Gehrig said his organisation was “encouraged by this important review”.

“We anticipate that under the new Act, our Inspectors will have authority to take early suffer harm,” Mr Gehrig said.

The government has encouraged people to have their say on the proposed changes until submissions close on May 19.