Page 3951 - Week 11 - Thursday, 26 September 2019
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I note, too, that ACT Labor recognised this at a conference a number of years ago. Seeing this now reflected in our legislation is not only the right step in reflecting the values of the community; it also enables the Animal Welfare Act to provide for the physical and mental wellbeing of animals.
This bill is not about punishing responsible pet owners who are doing the right thing. The legislation is about targeting irresponsible owners who are not doing the right thing, people who are not caring for their animals appropriately, like keeping a dog tied to a pole for days on end, or blatantly abusing animals, such as kicking or beating a dog.
Many of us are all too familiar with instances of animal cruelty. Constituents of mine will recall the nine puppies found crammed in a box and dumped in Higgins. One of the nine puppies was so badly beaten that it had to be put down. Others may recall the time two kittens were dumped in a kerbside recycling bin and taken to the Hume materials recovery facility. Thankfully, staff spotted the kittens as the box was making its way through the recycling process. These are just two stories of animal cruelty, stories that are all too familiar to the RSPCA; stories that should not occur.
I note, importantly, that the existing maximum time frame for reporting an injured animal will be reduced from 24 hours to two hours. This amendment sends a message that assisting animals that are suffering should be a priority and that it is a significant animal welfare responsibility for everyone, whether the animal is a domestic pet or wildlife; and we have plenty of wildlife here. The clarification and strengthening of duty of care offences in the act is an important aspect of this bill and one that can vastly improve the welfare of all animals throughout the territory.
This bill complements other measures this government has taken to encourage animal owners to do the right thing. The Canberra dog management model is one great example. I have long advocated for the provision of bins and dog waste bag dispensers at popular dog-walking areas throughout the ACT. The dog management model is doing just that, making it easier for responsible dog walkers to clean up after their furry friends while they are out and about.
I, almost without fail, carry bags for my dog—or dogs, as it is at the moment—but even I was caught out the other week. I was not thinking, and suddenly I was at the Palmerville Heritage Park and realised that I was wearing different pants from the ones I normally wear and which have the pockets stuffed with bags. I did not have anything with me. Fortunately, with the dog waste bag dispenser, there were bags available, and thank goodness there were.
Other initiatives under the model include the annual registration of dogs—with no extra fees, I might add—and the rollout of the Yellow Dog campaign, which involves the use of yellow merchandise to identify dogs that need space for a particular reason, such as illness or anxiety.
This is a government which cares about the welfare of creatures, great and small. The Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 will go some way to ensuring that
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