Animal welfare laws changes to keep up with the times

Queensland’s animal welfare laws are going under the microscope, with a review now underway.

The government’s proposing a number of changes to the Animal Care and Protection Act (2001), around the treatment of creatures at homes and on farms.

It has been 20 years since the Act was introduced and RSPCA Qld Chief Inspector Daniel Young says there are a number of areas where it could be improved, leading to better animal welfare outcomes. 

RSPCA inspectors investigated more than 17,000 animal cruelty and neglect complaints in 2020, including 57 calls in Edmonton alone.

RSPCA solicitor Tracey Jackson believes animal cruelty laws need to move with the times, to reflect community expectations. 

“We should make sure our laws…