The Tasmanian Greens said an experts’ roundtable on animal welfare today heard strong support for the courts to impose harsher penalties on people who are found guilty of animal cruelty.
Greens Animal Welfare spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP thanked participants at today’s Animal Welfare Roundtable for their constructive contribution to the discussion, and said the ideas raised would help inform the Greens work to amend the Animal Cruelty Act (2003).
Ms O’Connor also welcomed statements by representatives from the Department of Primary Industries indicating that the Minister Bryan Green has asked the state’s Animal Welfare Advisory Committee to undertake an immediate review of the Act.
“The Greens have long been strong advocates for the protection of animal welfare, and it was clear from today’s roundtable that reform of the Animal Welfare Act is long overdue,” Ms O’Connor said.
“The public is tired of seeing cases before the courts that can take years to reach a verdict, only for offenders to be handed a minor penalty which is out of step with community expectation.”
“The Greens plan to engage constructively in the review and potentially table changes to the Animal Welfare Act that would provide for strong public education and legal enforcement in the interests of animal welfare.”
Ms O’Connor said the discussion panel also heard from special guest speaker Associate Professor Eleonora Gullone from Monash University on the psychological links between animal cruelty and other criminal behaviour, including violence towards people.
“The scientific research demonstrates clear psychological links between animal cruelty and tendencies to violence. This needs to be dealt with strongly, not only for our animals, but for the wellbeing of our communities.”
“It is time the message is made loud, strong and clear that Tasmania will not tolerate cruelty towards entirely defenceless domestic pets, farm animals and native species,” Ms O’Connor said.
