news, local-news, dogs, penguins, Tasmania, Mark Shelton, politics
This summer the owners of wildlife-killing pets will face tough new penalties which may even see their dog destroyed. Following a string of attacks on penguins across the state, the Dog Control Amendment Bill 2019 passed the Legislative Council on Thursday. Under the new laws a person found guilty could be fined up to $5040, be liable for costs incurred and may have their dog destroyed. Local Government Minister Mark Shelton said the new penalties send a clear message: if your dog injures or kills sensitive wildlife like little penguins there will be serious consequences. Mr Shelton said the changes include a new offence for instances where a dog injures or kills any sensitive wildlife in specified areas. "The penalty for taking a dog into a prohibited area containing sensitive habitat for native wildlife will also increase to $3360," Mr Shelton said. "This approach will support local councils wishing to prohibit the entry of dogs into ecologically significant areas, such as little penguin colonies."
This summer the owners of wildlife-killing pets will face tough new penalties which may even see their dog destroyed.
Following a string of attacks on penguins across the state, the Dog Control Amendment Bill 2019 passed the Legislative Council on Thursday.
Under the new laws a person found guilty could be fined up to $5040, be liable for costs incurred and may have their dog destroyed.
Local Government Minister Mark Shelton said the new penalties send a clear message: if your dog injures or kills sensitive wildlife like little penguins there will be serious consequences.
Mr Shelton said the changes include a new offence for instances where a dog injures or kills any sensitive wildlife in specified areas.
"The penalty for taking a dog into a prohibited area containing sensitive habitat for native wildlife will also increase to $3360," Mr Shelton said.
"This approach will support local councils wishing to prohibit the entry of dogs into ecologically significant areas, such as little penguin colonies."
