Community outrage at the court results of animal cruelty cases has prompted a social media campaign for harsher penalties.
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RSPCA Tasmania launched the campaign on its Facebook page last night after posting the results of two recent animal cruelty cases heard in Launceston.
In one case, two women from Perth were put on a 12 month good behaviour order but escaped conviction for failing to seek appropriate veterinary treatment for four kittens.
RSPCA Tasmania president Dr Paul Swiatkowski said most sentences imposed for animal cruelty were manifestly inadequate.
`` It's hard to keep prosecuting and fighting for justice when the sentences don't reflect the pain and suffering caused to the animal,'' Dr Swiatkowski said.
``The RSPCA and the Tasmanian public expect better from our justice system.
``When it comes to animal cruelty matters, the courts are clearly failing and in many instances sending the message that animals don't matter.''
RSPCA business manager Allison Ball, who manages the Facebook page, said community outrage was clear every time she posted results of a court case online.
``Every time I post on the court results we get about 300 to 400 comments saying `what a dreadful result','' Ms Ball said.
The social media campaign, titled Through the Eyes of the Law, urges people to email Attorney-General Brian Wightman to call for harsher penalties under the Animal Welfare Act.
As of this morning, the campaign post had been shared 289 times.