Animal Welfare League NSW hails crucial parliamentary inquiry findings
In the light of the recent response from the NSW Government following the extensive inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), Animal Welfare League NSW (AWL NSW) welcomes all 14 recommendations that have been issued.
The report underscores the crucial role AWL NSW Inspectorate plays in enforcing legislation around animal cruelty and the vital skills and expertise that our team holds in matters relating to animal welfare.
The inquiry report made the following recommendations:
- That the NSW Government consider increased penalties for animal cruelty offences
- That the NSW Government investigate data collection and sharing between enforcement agencies
- That the NSW Government increase funding to more adequately resource and staff RSPCA NSW and AWL NSW inspectorates
- That the NSW Government develop a quantitative funding model indexed with CPI
- That the NSW Government investigate and fund an education program for improving animal welfare outcomes
- That the NSW Government ensures that POCTAA and the animal welfare framework are overhauled to meet community expectations and understanding of animal welfare
- That the NSW Government reviews statutory time limits for the prosecution of animal cruelty-related crimes
- That the NSW Government amends the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 to require approved charities to table their annual reports in both Houses of Parliament and comply with GIPA (Government Information Public Access) requests
- That the NSW Government consider a review of the use of body worn devices for the purposes of investigations into animal cruelty offences with a view to permitting such devices to be worn by officers of approved charitable organisations
AWL NSW CEO Mark Slater said “We welcome these recommendations and look forward to working into the future with the new laws to ensure the best possible welfare outcomes for all animals”.
AWL NSW is one of the only three regulating bodies authorised to exercise powers under the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Our Inspectors are authorised to seize and prosecute cases of animal cruelty and neglect.
More information: Sujata Chakrabarti P: 02 8777 4442, M: 0415 363 260, E: media@awlnsw.com.au
Animal Welfare League NSW: P: 02 8899 3333, E: helpingpets@awlnsw.com.au