Rural
7 December, 2022
New, tougher animal welfare laws
OFFENDERS will face up to three years in prison under a new animal welfare law if they breach their duty of care and cause the death, disablement or prolonged suffering under Queensland’s first update of animal welfare laws in more than two decades.
The updated Animal Care and Protection Act also puts in place a ban on the use of pronged collars and gives animal welfare inspectors powers to intervene where an animal is found to be in distress.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner (pictured), said the new offence of aggravated breach of duty of care was just one of a range of changes being made to the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
“This follows the first major review of the Act in 20 years and extensive community consultation with over 2,300 Queenslanders,” Mr Furner said.
“Queenslanders want to see animals better protected and people who don’t comply punished appropriately, and that is exactly what these updated laws provide.”
Find out more at www.daf. qld.gov.au.
