The Tasmanian government has assured that it is working to better protect animals, particularly dogs, as RSPCA Tasmania petitions to ban pronged dog collars.
Acting Minister for Primary Industries and Water Roger Jaensch said the state government takes animal welfare extremely seriously.
"Which is why we significantly strengthened the Animal Welfare Act in 2015 and increased penalties across the board and improved the powers of animal welfare officers," Mr Jaensch said.
"The Government does not support the use of pronged collars and sought to ban them in 2015 based on advice from the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee."
He said the move to ban the collar was "unfortunately" opposed in the Upper House and subsequently withdrawn.
"The then leader of the government in the Legislative Council, Vanessa Goodwin stating; 'the government doesn't want this amendment to be lost and then not have the opportunity to pursue this banning of pronged collars down the track'."
Mr Jaensch said in November last year the Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett wrote to the chair of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee asking that the committee consider improvements to the Animal Welfare Act "to better protect animals, particularly dogs".
"The government is expecting advice from AWAC and the Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment in the near future.
"Tasmanians can be assured that this government will continue to take action based on the advice of experts to maintain high animal welfare standards."
He said the RSPCA had a representative on the AWAC.
"We expect the pending advice to address the use of pronged collars."
RSPCA Tasmania described the pronged collars as having "fang-shaped metal links, with blunted open ends turned towards the dog's neck".
Behavioural veterinarian Katrina Ward said there were better, safer and more effective alternatives for dog training.
Molly Appleton
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
Molly Appleton is a senior journalist at The Examiner, having formerly worked at The Advocate as a news and sports reporter. She brings a passion for storytelling and knowledge of Tasmania across the three major regions. For any story ideas contact her on 0448 184 160.
