Animal rights campaigners are pleased animal cruelty laws have been fast-tracked through Parliament.
The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill passed its third reading unanimously last night, raising the penalties for those caught mistreating animals.
The maximum jail sentence for animal cruelty increases from three to five years and the fine will double to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate.
Paw Justice spokeswoman Melanie Douglas says the harsher penalties reflect Kiwis attitudes.
“Families are being seriously affected and owners are being seriously affected by animal cruelty,” she says.
“It’s insidious and it’s not stopping and I think people are just getting more hurt and disgusted by what has been going on. It’s driven everyone to take some action.”
The bill also makes way for a new offence of reckless ill-treatment – making it easier for offenders to be prosecuted.
RadioLIVE
source: newshub archive
