Bundaberg’s furry friends will be better protected under the LNP’s tougher penalties for dog baiting.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said he’s horrified by alleged incidents of dog baiting.
“Sadly, our region is not immune to this lowlife behaviour,” Mr Bennett said.
“The penalties for those who purposefully poison our pets should be the same as the penalties for animal cruelty.”
Currently, penalties for baiting an animal has a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment or $40,035.
This does not align with the offence of animal cruelty which has a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment or $266,900.
If elected, the LNP will close this legal loophole and align the penalties with cruelty offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.
This would be in-line the LNP’s previous new offences for animals trapped in hot cars.
“The Bundaberg and Burnett region is certainly home to some great furry friends and it’s sickening to think there are people out there who want to poison them,” Mr Bennett said.
“It’s a cold and callous act and perpetrators shouldn’t be allowed to walk away with just a slap on the wrist.
“We have so many great parks and beaches in our region and it’s our duty to make them safe for everyone, including those with four legs.
“If elected the LNP will triple the penalty for dog baiting.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Tony Perrett says baiting our pets is a heartless act.
“This is about the treatment of animals that have been illegally killed, Mr Perrett said.
“No pet should have to endure a deliberate, long and painful death because of criminal activity.”
Present Law:
Section 36 of the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 provides that a person must not, with the intention of injuring or killing any animal, lay a bait or substance that is harmful or poisonous to any animal. The same section also provides that a person must not with the intention of injuring or killing an animal, administer to, or feed the animal a substance the person knows is harmful or poisonous to the animal.
The maximum penalty for this offence is 300 penalty units ($40,035) or 1 year’s imprisonment.
This does not align with the offence of animal cruelty which has a maximum penalty of 2000 penalty units or 3 years imprisonment.
Elements of the existing cruelty offence (s.18) include –
? Causing pain in the circumstances that is unjustifiable, unnecessary or unreasonable
? Beating it so as to cause pain
? Abusing, terrifying or tormenting
? Transporting it without appropriate food, rest, shelter or water
05/09/19