Page 1214 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 29 March 2017
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pleased that it seems the government is going to go some way to supporting Mr Doszpot’s motion. But we would rather they actually commit to allocating more resources to this very important issue.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Women and Minister for Sport and Recreation) (11.54): I want to make a few comments on this matter. Having a pet involved in a violent incident, suffering an incident or anything that is likely to impair their quality of life are really difficult issues for families. I would like to take a moment to reflect on how much harder that might be if you are homeless, living in housing stress or at risk of homelessness.
We already know that families who are living near or below the poverty line will make tough decisions about their own health due to the cost of seeking health advice. So having the ability to access, or being able to afford to pay for, veterinary services for your animal family members is probably the last thing on your mind.
Your pet is an important part of your family. If you are homeless, sometimes a companion pet can be the difference between wellness and illness. We know that these much-loved pets offer unconditional love, companionship and emotional support and security. Although these pets greatly enrich lives, like my pets do for my family, they come at a significant financial cost, with annual vaccinations, flea treatments, worming and de-sexing, as well as microchipping. These can cost hundreds of dollars.
Pets in the Park is a new service that is being established by the Early Morning Centre. They will partner with a group of vets to help Canberra people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Pets in the Park aims to support, build relationships with and improve the wellbeing of homeless people who are living with animal companions.
Pets in the Park will open its clinic this Sunday at the back of the Early Morning Centre. I know that it will be a great success. Users of the service will need a referral letter from the Early Morning Centre. They are able to turn up for the service and get free access to a vet. I know that Pets in the Park will provide a great addition to the already well-regarded suite of services that the Early Morning Centre offers.
I also want to make some comments on the amendment that has been moved by Ms Fitzharris, and particularly the first point about the number of people treated for pet attacks in emergency departments in the ACT. Mr Coe commented that the information about where people came from was irrelevant. But what is relevant is that the dogs would have been residents of the ACT and perhaps owned by residents of the ACT. So having that point in there is important because it gives us the chance to have that knowledge about the situations and the issues that Transport and City Services, through the domestic animal services, have to deal with in investigating dog attacks in the ACT.
I also note that whilst Mr Coe recognised there are many owners of dogs in the ACT that are responsible, I contend that there are many more than he assumes. As
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