Puppy protections: Government moves to strengthen Animal Welfare Act

Animal welfare officers will be able to “use their judgment” to remove animals in dire situations from owners, under proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Act. CHANGES >>

ANIMAL welfare officers will be able to “use their judgment” to decide if an animal needs to be removed from its owner under proposed changes to the Animal Welfare Act.

The State Government will work with stakeholders to draft a bill to “significantly strengthen” the act and provide greater protections.

Primary industries minister Guy Barnett said he wrote to the Animal Welfare Advisory Council in November last year seeking advice on current legislation and the impact on dogs in particular.

“It will specifically increase the powers of authorised officers, including RSPCA officers to protect and better protect dogs and animals,” Mr Barnett said.

RSPCA CEO Jan Davis said RSPCA officers currently had limited powers.

“We’ve seen some recent examples of cases where the inspectors that work for the RSPCA that look after domestic animals didn’t have the powers to do what they thought needed to be done,” Ms Davis said.

Minister Guy Barnett with dog Casper and L-R Alex Garrott member of RSPCA Tasmania's Board and Jan Davis CEO RSPCA Tasmania. Minister Guy Barnett in relation to animal welfare. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“One of the changes we’re looking at is to actually give them the greater powers to do what they know they need to do. This will hopefully give us the opportunity to have a bit more flexibility and for the inspectors to be able to use their educated judgment and experience to be able to make an on the spot decision.”

Ms Davis said inspectors removed animals “on a regular basis” but that recent examples demonstrated the need for the change.

“The challenge is the circumstances in which they can do that,” Ms Davis said.

“They have to be absolutely at the moment, life and death.

“The wording actually says ‘imminent risk’ and that isn’t something that’s easily judged.”

The proposed changes also include a ban on pronged collars, an accessory Ms Davis described as “cruel and dangerous”.

“Nationally there is an import ban on pronged collars but there’s a gap in the laws”

“You can’t import them but if they’re here you can sell them.”

Ms Davis said accredited trainers who need to use the collars for a “special purpose” might be able to apply for an exemption.

Consultation with stakeholders, including the RSPCA, will get underway, with a bill expected to be introduced to parliament in the first half of 2022.