Minimum Sentencing to Animal Welfare Act a Must for Protecting Our Animals
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Minister for Primary Industries, Bryan Green, to review or amend the Animal Welfare Act 1993 to ensure that appropriate penalties are given to serious animal cruelty offenders, and provide solid guidelines for appropriate sentencing.
Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said the recent case of a $432 fine for a man starving his dog to death was beyond appalling, and highlighted the need for urgent amendments to the Animal Welfare Act 1993.
“Providing minimum sentences to people who feel they have a right to mistreat and abuse animals gives the community a strong, clear and important message that these acts are plain wrong,” Ms O’Connor said.
“Recent sentences of a mere three penalty units out of a possible 100 for starving a dog to death clearly indicate the need for change, and this is reflected by the outrage expressed at such weak penalties from the community.”
“Minister Green downplayed assertions by RSPCA Prosecutor Glenn Carey that amends should be made to include stronger minimum sentences for serious incidents of animal cruelty and abuse.”
“It is disappointing that Minister Green believes the current Act does not need amendment and is suitably worded to provide sufficient penalties.”
“The Greens will not stand by and watch people in our community mistreat and abuse animals with ‘slap-on-the-wrist’ penalties, and will continue to campaign for amendments to the Act as advocated by many groups and the RSPCA,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson
