On Thursday 13th February 2020, Michael Donnelly (President) and Sam, Davis (Vice President) appeared as witnesses to provide testimony to the Select Committee on Animal Cruelty Laws in New South. Wales. This is the first time Animal Care Australia has received such high acknowledgement and recognition.
In their opening statement the representatives from the Pet Industry Association of Australia (PIAA) Mr Barry Codling (PIAA President) and Mr John Parker (Membership Manager, PIAA) deferred to and supported the content and recommendations made by Animal Care Australia in our submission. Those recommendations include:
- RSPCA NSW/AWL to be more accountable and transparent in their actions and investigations with that accountability being overseen by the NSW Ombudsman Office or equivalent.
- A review of the powers for enforcement focused on natural justice and the protection of the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Animals are being seized and held for long periods of time on the presumption of guilt – this is not in the animal’s best interest and often legal counsel recommends guilty pleas to avoid excessive fees, rather than on the merits of the case.
- The prosecutorial stage of an investigation transferred to the Department of Public Prosecutions perhaps with a full time funded police prosecutor working within RSPCA NSW and/or AWL.
- Animal Care Australia supports the need for more sustainable funding – but does not support this process being a fully government funded organisation – as this is contradictory to the term ‘independent’.
- With the current review of POCTAA – Animal Care Australia recommends streamlining the Act ensuring a better stakeholder understanding of the Standards & Guidelines and with a stronger focus on education and welfare over prosecution. Having stated that, we equally support the strengthening of fines and sentencing terms of those found guilty of aggravated or intentional abuse.
- To be clear, Animal Care Australia opposes the implementation/creation of an Independent Rights/Welfare Organisation.
The Animal Justice Party called for this Inquiry as they would like to see the inspectorate functions of both RSPCA NSW and Animal Welfare League (AWL) removed to the above mentioned Independent Rights/ Welfare Organisation.
This would not be in the best interests of the animals or those of us who keep animals. A government department established by and potentially run by an animal rights political party is something we must avoid .
By: Michael Donnelly – Animal Care Australia President – Originally published: March 2020 ACE Newsletter.
