New Bill to protect animals through responsible pet ownership

Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
11/11/2008

New Bill to protect animals through responsible pet ownership

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today introduced the Animal Management Bill 2008 into Parliament, a move that will help reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs euthanised each year.

"This Bill will provide a consistent statewide approach to encouraging responsible pet ownership and managing dangerous dogs," Mr Pitt said.

"Some of the provisions include the mandatory registration of cats and dogs, microchipping at the point of sale and transfer of cats and dogs, and the introduction of a menacing dog classification.

"Available records from local government pounds and animal welfare shelters show that at the very least, more than 13,000 cats and more than 10,000 dogs are euthanised in Queensland each year.

"Our plan to address this major problem is based on the principle of responsible ownership - and it will ensure that all owners take responsibility for cats and dogs in their care.

"Under this legislation, all cats and dogs wi ll need to be implanted with a permanent identification device, such as a microchip, before they reach 12 weeks of age or when ownership is transferred from one owner to another.

"This is consistent with similar legislation in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT.

"It is worth noting that the law is not retrospective - animals that are 12 weeks old and over will not need to be implanted with a permanent identification device unless they change owners or are a regulated dog. "

Regulated dogs will include dangerous, menacing and restricted dogs.

Mr Pitt said that in addition to legislative review, the Queensland Government was also looking at other ways to encourage responsible pet ownership.

"We have already committed $315,000 towards a two-year pilot study involving Moreton Bay Regional Council, Logan City Council, Townsville City Council and Gold Coast City Council," he said.

"Gold Coast City Council has been allocated $77,00 0 to introduce an approved breeder permit scheme and a targeted education campaign that will focus on appropriate enclosures for pet cats," he said.

"Townsville will receive $68,000 to restart the CatScan program on Magnetic Island, which includes compulsory microchipping of cats over five months old and an education campaign.

"Moreton Bay will receive $86,000 to work with local veterinarians to promote cat desexing and to utilise the RSPCA's mobile education unit and portable animal welfare service throughout the council area.

"Logan City Council has been allocated $84,000 to construct a dedicated community animal desexing clinic.

"These pilot studies will complement the introduction of a voluntary code of practice for pet shops and the Cat Smart education campaign, all of which will help improve the management of unwanted cats and dogs."

Mr Pitt said the Bligh Government was serious about trying to reduce the senseless destruction of thousands of unwanted cats and dogs being carried out throughout the state each year.

"The proposed new legislation will put the onus of responsibility back on to pet owners and the government will work with councils and other industry bodies to make this happen," he said.

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Publish Date: 11 Nov 08

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