(Au) New West Australian Animal Welfare Act / Dog and Cock fighting

[Guest guest]

*NB At last Western Australia has the new Animal Welfare Act passed by

parliament

today. This new Act replaces an outdated Animal Protection Act over 80 years

old.

Thanks to all who wrote and urged the politicians to allow the Act to be

passed this year.

 

Animal cruelty laws get new bite

The West Australian Newspaper

13th November 2002

By Daniel Clery

 

NEW animal cruelty laws passed the Legislative Council last night more than

14 months after they were introduced to State Parliament.

 

They increase maximum penalties for animal cruelty from $5000 or one year

jail to $50,000 and five years jail with a minimum penalty of $2000.

 

The legislation also gives magistrates the power to ban offenders from

owning an animal again and lets RSPCA inspectors take ill-treated animals

from owners.

 

It took MLC's less than six hours to debate almost 100 clauses to bring a

swift end to legislation that languished before the Upper House for more

than a year.

 

The new penalties are expected to come into force early next year.

 

Local Government minister Tom Stephens said the Bill would allow magistrates

to hand out appropriate penalties.

 

" The aim of this Bill is to send a powerful message to those who may commit

an act of cruelty towards an animal that their actions will not be

tolerated, " he said.

 

RSPCA spokeswoman Rachel Cochrane said cruelty committed in recent months

could not be fully punished while the Bill sat before the Legislative

Council.

 

Last month a man who starved a dog to death was fined $4000 and allowed to

keep two other dogs.

 

Mr Stephens said a regulation would be added next year to ban the docking of

dogs' tails for cosmetic purposes.

 

About 50 WA Canine Association members rallied outside Parliament yesterday,

arguing that dog owners needed to be consulted over proposed new laws.

 

Mr Stephens said a committee would be formed from all stakeholders to work

out the best way to introduce the regulation.

 

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Cruel: An RSPCA inspector shows off cock-fighting spurs. The association has

launched Operation Champion to stop animal fights. PICTURE: STEVE FERRIER

 

Tools of a barbaric sport

The West Australian Newspaper

13th November 2002

 

By Cian Manton

 

THESE are the razor-sharp spurs used in cockfighting which often cause the

death of both birds in a fight.

 

Animal welfare lobbyists are appealing for public help to stamp out the

practice.

 

The RSPCA has set up a toll-free hotline tomorrow for people to report

suspected cock and dog fighting activities.

 

RSPCA national president Hugh Wirth said the blood sports were barbaric and

even the winner often had appalling injuries.

 

The call came as WA MPs last night passed a new Animal Welfare Bill, which

lifts the maximum penalty for animal cruelty from a $5000 fine or one year

in jail to a $50,000 fine or five years jail. The Bill languished for more

than a year before the Government brought it forward for debate.

 

End