Pet Laws Get Bitten

Written by Colin Seal

01/23/2013 Dog Bark Collar, Barking Dog Collar

Know More About Dog Laws
What happens when a dog is subjected to various forms of cruelty? There were times when offenders (pet owners) were able to get off the hook easily. This, of course, is a big form of injustice to dogs. Fortunately, the government of Western Australia has passed laws to give more teeth to inspectors from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). These inspectors will be accorded more authority to issue violations beginning this year.

More Penalties for Violators

News reports said that fines will be given for “leaving a dog in a hot car, driving with an unharnessed animal at the back of the vehicle, animal cruelty, and failing to feed, house or care for a pet or farm animal properly.” Visit the main blog here.

It was also learned that there will be a punishment but this matter is still under further review.

“The laws will allegedly be similar to those in New South Wales and Tasmania, where officers can hand out fines from $200 to $500.”

There will be changes. Pet owners in the region who fail to obey an inspector's guideline or give untruthful or misleading information will be subjected to sanctions. This will also cover anyone who blocks or mistreats an inspector who will face an outright penalty of $400.

Beneficial for All Parties

Indeed, this is a step in the right direction!

The RSPCA issued this call for the new powers two years ago. It is good that Agriculture Minister Terry Redman has confirmed the laws were being drafted. At present, people charged with animal cruelty, ill-treatment or negligence can argue their case in court and only a lower court judge can prescribe fines for people convicted of any wrongdoing. It is just right that inspectors must be able to penalize pet owners or anyone who mistreat pets. This move will send a strong message against animal cruelty.

The RSPCA has welcomed the move by the WA government in the light of the increase of more incidents of cruelty to pets. Pet owners and even those who do not have dogs have to adhere to these laws or face the risk of fines and other sanctions.

Read this: “This week, when The Sunday Times shadowed inspectors for a day, it took only 20 minutes for a report of a dog locked in a hot car to be made to the RSPCA.”

This is a good sign of swift action that should be sustained!

Here for you and your dog,
Colin Seal