The Australian city where you can be fined for not walking your pet
One Australian state is leading the way for animal welfare and soon pet owners could cop a fine for not walking their dog.
Under the Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill 2019, animals are now recognised by law as sentient beings in Canberra.
The new legislation will crack down on animal owners who confine their pet in a small space for 24 hours or if it is not exercised.
“Section 6F [of the new law] makes it a strict liability offence not to exercise a dog when a dog is confined, unless reasonable exercise is provided or the confinement is necessary for the dog’s welfare,” the legislation reads.
“This offence has a maximum penalty of 25 penalty units and an associated infringement notice of $500.”
The penalty unit in the ACT is $160.00.
If someone is found to have confined their animal, they will have to prove doing so was for the pet’s welfare – and its age, physical condition and size will be taken into consideration.
Pets can still be kept in a backyard, house or apartment as long as it is able to move freely.
Minister for City Services Chris Steel said the law would make the ACT a “national leader in animal welfare”.
“Modern animal welfare is about considering how an animal is coping both mentally and physically with the conditions in which it lives,” Mr Steel said.
“For the first time under law we are recognising the science, that animals are sentient, and they feel emotion and pain.”
Under these new laws, the Animal Welfare Authority can impose a temporary ban for up to six months if animal abuse is committed.
Aggravated cruelty charges – such as dog fighting – will result in up to three years of jail time.
"This legislation will enable better enforcement of laws to protect animals,” Mr Steel said.
“People who do not properly care for their animals, such as failing to provide a dog with water or shelter, face new on the spot fines.
“Fines for these offences can now be easily issued by officers as part of the new escalating enforcement framework to deter further acts of cruelty from happening.”
The laws come into effect in six months.
On Wednesday, the ACT became the first Australian jurisdiction to legalise the the personal use of cannabis.
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