Have your say on dog laws

SIGNIFICANT changes to animal welfare regulations to help protect dogs in Tasmania are now up for discussion.

Tasmanians are being encouraged  to have their say on the proposed changes after the release of a Dog Welfare Discussion paper.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said the Government shares the community’s desire to improve animal welfare measures.

 “I am committed to implementing sensible reforms to prevent over breeding, improve traceability and welfare for all dogs in Tasmania, including companion dogs, greyhounds and working dogs," Minister Howlett said. 

Other areas identified for potential change include breeding caps, earlier microchipping and standards for housing, sleeping and containment.

Ms Howlett said the Government has been working closely with RSPCA and TasRacing to develop the proposed reforms and has undertaken targeted consultation with key stakeholders, including TasFarmers and Dogs Tasmania, to understand how any proposed changes would affect people and industries.

The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee has also provided advice on ways to strengthen Tasmania’s current dog regulation.

“The Discussion Paper which is now open for feedback will provide the basis for important conversations in our community, backed by sound scientific practice and research,” Ms Howlett said.

“It's an important step forward for improving dog welfare in Tasmania and I encourage everyone to have their say to inform any future reforms.”

RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins said  the release of the Dog Welfare Discussion Paper today is a critical and welcome step towards fixing Tasmania’s broken laws.

“Our current laws allowed Tasmanian Labradoodles to operate as a puppy farm with hundreds of dogs born into poor health and horrific conditions,” Ms Dawkins said.

“This was an appalling chapter in animal welfare for Tasmania, and we cannot ever let this happen again. Tasmania’s laws have failed all of us and as they stand right now, they do nothing to deter this from happening again. That’s why fixing these broken laws is a matter of importance and urgency.”

Ms Dawkins said the RSPCA would consider the Discussion Paper and provide a detailed submission.

“We want to see laws that ban puppy farms, secure mandatory registration for breeders and deliver a code of practice for breeders and facilities – and so much more,” Ms Dawkins said.

“There was a huge outpour of support when we called for help to adopt and foster the labradoodles, and I encourage Tasmanians to make a submission and engage in this critical opportunity to fix our laws and ban puppy farms for good.

Ms Howlett said she will introduce any regulatory and legislative changes as soon as possible after consultation feedback has been considered.

The consultation period for the discussion paper is now open and will continue until December 20. 

To make a submission go to  www.nre.tas.gov.au/dogsreview