Revealed: Hefty fine dog owners face for cruel pronged collars

The biggest animal welfare reforms in 20 years could see dog owners cop massive fines for using cruel pronged collars.

Dog owners could cop a $4000 fine if their canines are found wearing “pronged collars” under the biggest animal welfare reforms being proposed by the state government in over 20 years.

Inspectors would also be allowed to let themselves on to properties if they believed a weather event like a flood was impacting an animal while the use of ‘yellow phosphorous’ poison to control feral pigs could be banned.

Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner said the reforms delivered on an election commitment to review the Animal Care and Protection Act.

“The community said to us overwhelmingly inhumane practices like the use of pronged collars have to stop,” he said.

“These collars are designed to train or restrain animals by injuring them and the fact is there are better ways to train our family pets.”

More than 2300 Queenslanders and groups made submissions following the launch of the Act’s review.

The government was urged to ban pronged collars which feature metal prongs that are designed to tighten around a dog’s neck when pressure is applied.

Pronged collars are set to be banned.

Dog owners found using them could cop a $4135.50 fine under the proposed changes.

The government also wants to expand the number of reasons why inspectors could let themselves onto properties to provide assistance to distressed animals including adverse weather or aggression from another animal.

The laws will also clarify the meaning of ‘unreasonable abandonment’ to remove any doubt that the person in charge of an animal remains responsible even when another person is temporarily providing food or water.

Mr Furner said Queensland already had some of the strongest animal welfare laws in the country but the government wanted to make sure the Act was current and reflected community expectations.

“That’s why new amendments to the Act will ban these (pronged) collars as well as other inhumane practices like the firing of a horse or dog’s legs as a means of treating injuries,” he said.

“Stakeholders will be able to provide further feedback on the proposed amendments via the Parliamentary Committee process before any amendments to the Act are made,” he said.

“The amendments demonstrate the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding animals from inhumane and unnecessary practices.”

The amendments will be introduced next week when parliament resumes.