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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 9 Hansard (7 September) . . Page.. 2956 ..
MR SMYTH (continuing):
Measures relating to attacking or harassing dogs have been amended based on comments received from animal welfare organisations. The amendments address concerns raised in relation to the specific offence and the equity in exclusion from the provisions.
The Domestic Animals Bill is supported by complementary documents. These are part of the SCAMP package and have been recast to reflect the changes in the legislation. I am also pleased to table the finalised ACT urban cat management strategy, the charter for responsible dog ownership and the charter for responsible cat ownership. I am happy to arrange a full briefing for any member of the Assembly on the intricacies of the Domestic Animals Bill 2000.
The package promotes responsible pet ownership, public safety and urban amenity. That is quite a range of outcomes to keep in balance, and I believe that we have successfully achieved that.
Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell ) adjourned.
Mr Smyth , pursuant to notice, presented the bill, its explanatory memorandum and the following associated papers:
Draft Domestic Animals Regulations and explanatory statement;
Strategic Companion Animals Management Package, comprising the:
ACT Urban Cat Management Strategy;
Charter for Responsible Dog Ownership;
Charter for Responsible Cat Ownership; and
Code of Practice for the Sale of Animals in the ACT.
Title read by Clerk.
MR SMYTH (Minister for Urban Services) (10.42): I move:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
Mr Speaker, as part of the strategic companion animals management package, I have also announced a number of changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1992. I am extremely pleased to bring to the Assembly today the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2000.
As I stated in my previous speech, I initially tabled SCAMP for community consultation in October 1999. The consultation period elicited almost 1,000 responses. The majority of these were specifically related to the issue of tail docking of puppies. I am now pleased to table the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill 2000, and I will take this opportunity to present the proposed changes.
The first is an amendment to the scope of the act, widening the definition of "animal". It is proposed to expand the current definition to include a live cephalopod, such as cuttlefish or octopus, as well as a live crustacean that is intended for human consumption. This will help improve the welfare of these animals kept by retailers and restaurants.
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