Mr POOLE - 2000-05-16
Following the commencement of the new Animal Welfare Act last month, I understand local government is helping the RSPCA notify the public of the dangers of carrying unrestrained dogs in the back of utes. Can the minister please advise this House on exactly what this involves?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, you are looking at a frequent flyer. We all have seen them in the back of trucks. Unfortunately, about 5000 dogs nationally are either killed or maimed by jumping off or falling from the back of utes. That is the theme of the campaign the RSPCA is running - to make sure your dog does not become a frequent flyer.
The Animal Welfare Act was introduced in March. We have given a leeway time for people to be aware of this new provision, but now is the time that we need to get the message through to people out there that this is a dangerous thing that can happen. We have all seen horrific examples of dogs on the back of the ute who suddenly get this urge to jump when the ute is travelling at quite a good speed, or they are wrongly leashed. Their leash is too long so they jump off the ute, and you see them being dragged along and then they suffer horrendous injuries. From now on, there is an on-the-spot fine of $100 if you do not have your dog restrained on the back of the ute. If it does fall out, often it is maimed and badly injured, and you can even face a fine of up to $10 000.
The RSPCA does sell leads, such as this, for you to use on the back of the ute. This part is obviously bolted to the back of the ute, and you can adjust it to the length and size of your dog. You can put this on the dog’s collar, a choker chain is not acceptable, but this way you can restrain a dog so that it does not fall off the back of the ute.
Members interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: Well, you may comment and you may laugh but this is not something that is very pleasant for the dogs, particularly when they do fall off the back of a ute. You can either provide a fully enclosed cage or you can restrain your dog with a lead like this, which is very secure, or you can provide something yourself.
We want to get that message across. We are putting out posters and pamphlets to people. We are doing a big advertising campaign on TV. You have seen them already. We just want to make sure - because dogs are our companions, dogs are there to help us in our work, dogs are very important to us - that we care for our dog and we look after them. I urge all members in the House to make sure your dog does not become one of the frequent flyers.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, you are looking at a frequent flyer. We all have seen them in the back of trucks. Unfortunately, about 5000 dogs nationally are either killed or maimed by jumping off or falling from the back of utes. That is the theme of the campaign the RSPCA is running - to make sure your dog does not become a frequent flyer.
The Animal Welfare Act was introduced in March. We have given a leeway time for people to be aware of this new provision, but now is the time that we need to get the message through to people out there that this is a dangerous thing that can happen. We have all seen horrific examples of dogs on the back of the ute who suddenly get this urge to jump when the ute is travelling at quite a good speed, or they are wrongly leashed. Their leash is too long so they jump off the ute, and you see them being dragged along and then they suffer horrendous injuries. From now on, there is an on-the-spot fine of $100 if you do not have your dog restrained on the back of the ute. If it does fall out, often it is maimed and badly injured, and you can even face a fine of up to $10 000.
The RSPCA does sell leads, such as this, for you to use on the back of the ute. This part is obviously bolted to the back of the ute, and you can adjust it to the length and size of your dog. You can put this on the dog’s collar, a choker chain is not acceptable, but this way you can restrain a dog so that it does not fall off the back of the ute.
Members interjecting.
Mrs BRAHAM: Well, you may comment and you may laugh but this is not something that is very pleasant for the dogs, particularly when they do fall off the back of a ute. You can either provide a fully enclosed cage or you can restrain your dog with a lead like this, which is very secure, or you can provide something yourself.
We want to get that message across. We are putting out posters and pamphlets to people. We are doing a big advertising campaign on TV. You have seen them already. We just want to make sure - because dogs are our companions, dogs are there to help us in our work, dogs are very important to us - that we care for our dog and we look after them. I urge all members in the House to make sure your dog does not become one of the frequent flyers.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016