RSPCA NSW welcomes the NSW Government response to the NSWparliamentary inquiry into the administration of state animal crueltylegislation.
The NSW Government supports RSPCA NSW’s role in enforcing the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA).
“This inquiry reinforces the relevance of RSPCA NSW in enforcing POCTAA, andwe are pleased that the NSW Government has seen fit that our Inspectoratecontinues their vital work,” said RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman.
“We welcome the recommendations made which we hope will build on the specialskills, strengths and expertise our Inspectorate has developed over the last90 years.”
“The inquiry has also put a spotlight on animal cruelty laws in NSW and whatneeds to be done to improve the welfare of animals in our state, and we aregrateful for the opportunity to provide valuable insight into RSPCA NSW’scritical role in that.”
“RSPCA NSW continues to perform absolutely vital functions for the people andanimals of NSW. Not only are we an enforcement agency, we are an organisationthat delivers community education and assistance to animal owners in need,provides shelter and urgent treatment to animals and takes action in in theevent of natural disasters.”
The 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 requests
RSPCA NSW remains committed to the mission of preventing cruelty to animalsand promoting animal welfare and looks forward to working with the NSWGovernment, enforcement agencies and the community to achieve these goals inthe interest of all animals.
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