Tuesday, 20 September 2022

Animal welfare

The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that regulations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 permits a person in charge of an animal, such as a dog, to tether the animal to an inanimate object.

Tethering has caused dogs to become entangled in ropes or chains, inhibiting their capacity to access drinking water, shade and shelter during heatwaves or extreme cold weather. This leads to prolonged suffering and even death from dehydration or hypothermia. These dogs are often denied healthy freedom of movement which can lead to physical harm and behavioural issues, such as high aggression.

If confinement is required, it should be within a breed-specific fenced yard without tethering by chains or ropes to a stationary and inanimate object. The fenced yard must be suitable to the size, breed and weight of the dog and allow uninhibited freedom of healthy movement so that the dog can access shelter, water and food at all times.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to review the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 to prohibit prolonged, unsupervised confinement and tethering of a dog and allow tethering for short, supervised durations only.