Companion animals in constant fear

According to a recent ABC investigation, there was a huge reduction in the number of animal cruelty prosecutions from 238 in 2020-21 to just five in 2023-24 and 17 in 2025. This is because in 2022 the law changed and the Department of Primary Industries has to approve prosecutions before the RSPCA can proceed. The RSPCA recommends prosecution only for persistent, deliberate and sadistic cruelty after several inspector visits and attempts to rectify the situation through education. The ABC investigation revealed that, because there are no consequences, these innocent pets are being kicked, tortured and terrorised by owners that are simply bored, bad-tempered or “having fun”. Despite clear evidence, this often continues for many years. Taking DPI out of the approval loop would also relieve the burden on the DPI, allowing them to focus on their work with primary industries.

This petitions requests the House to remove DPI approval for prosecutions and let the RSPCA get on with their job. It also requests the introduction of mandatory minimum sentence, which includes imprisonment, for all animal cruelty. People who get away with cruelty to animals will also become cruel to babies and other vulnerable people.

If this petition gets to 10,000 signatures it will be debated in parliament and AJP will ready the MPs that have been supportive. We have until the 11/08.