LSB June 2022 LR
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FEATURE<br />
are therefore held to higher account in<br />
the restraint of pets in vehicles than the<br />
general public in South Australia.<br />
WHAT CONSTITUTES ILL TREATMENT OF<br />
AN ANIMAL WHILE TRAVELLING?<br />
At RSPCA SA, where I am legal<br />
counsel, the lack of application of common<br />
sense has seen Animal Welfare Inspectors<br />
intervene where animals travelling with their<br />
owners have their welfare put in jeopardy.<br />
Animal ill treatment is an offence in each<br />
Australian State and Territory punishable<br />
by a fine or imprisonment. 16 In South<br />
Australia, causing an animal unnecessary<br />
harm and failing to provide appropriate<br />
living conditions (whether permanent or<br />
temporary) for an animal are general heads<br />
of ill treatment listed in section 13(3) of the<br />
Animal Welfare Act 1985 which have been<br />
enlivened in cases where:<br />
• Dogs have fallen from ute trays,<br />
causing injury, including strangulation<br />
of animals inappropriately tethered.<br />
• Animals have been left in hot cars (in<br />
one bizarre case a dog was left in a<br />
car while its owners visited the zoo,<br />
also leaving a portable stove going<br />
inside the car complete with the billy<br />
boiling for a cup of tea, adding to the<br />
temperature within).<br />
• Dogs have been inappropriately<br />
restrained for long periods in harnesses<br />
which are too small such that the<br />
harness itself injures the animal.<br />
• A dog was confined to a carry crate<br />
strapped to the roof of the car.<br />
• Cats were inappropriately housed in a<br />
temporary outdoor enclosure in belowzero<br />
temperatures.<br />
Some jurisdictions have specific welfare<br />
provisions in relation to the transport<br />
of animals. In Victoria, the Prevention of<br />
Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 prohibit<br />
leaving an animal unattended inside a car<br />
for more than 10 minutes when outside<br />
temperatures are at or above 28 degrees<br />
Celsius, or to secure a dog directly on<br />
a metal tray of a ute or trailer in these<br />
temperature conditions. There is also a<br />
specific regulation preventing the transport<br />
of animals in the boot of a car. 17 In the<br />
ACT, 18 it is a specific offence to transport<br />
an animal in a way that causes or is likely<br />
to cause death, injury, pain or stress to the<br />
animal. In Queensland 19 the Animal Care<br />
and Protection Act 2001 provides that it is<br />
an offence to transport an animal in a way<br />
that is inappropriate for its welfare, while<br />
in NSW 20 a person cannot carry or convey<br />
an animal in a manner which unreasonably,<br />
unnecessarily or unjustifiably inflicts pain<br />
upon it. In Tasmania 21 a person must not<br />
drive, convey, carry or pack an animal in<br />
a manner that subjects it to unreasonable<br />
pain or suffering. And in Western Australia<br />
an explicit head of animal cruelty is<br />
transporting an animal in a way that causes<br />
or is likely to cause unnecessary harm. 22<br />
CAN PETS BE TAKEN ON PUBLIC<br />
TRANSPORT?<br />
In Australia it is relatively uncommon<br />
to see animals (other than assistance<br />
dogs or therapy animals) taken on public<br />
transport. 23 The rules regarding this<br />
question vary somewhat across Australia.<br />
For example, in South Australia taking pets<br />
(other than assistance animals) on public<br />
transport is prohibited unless special<br />
permission has been granted beforehand 24<br />
but in Victoria taking small animals in<br />
suitable carry containers is permitted, and<br />
dogs may be taken on trains if they are<br />
muzzled and on a lead. 25 In New South<br />
Wales, similar rules apply, but the driver<br />
may refuse an animal entry if the service<br />
is nearing capacity or if the animal appears<br />
likely to misbehave. 26<br />
FLYING WITH PETS WITHIN AUSTRALIA<br />
Flying is stressful for animals, which<br />
despite recent regulatory change, are<br />
still considered cargo by the airlines and<br />
confined to pet carriers in the freight<br />
area of the plane. 27 It is not unusual<br />
for pets to die during flights (drops in<br />
pressure, temperature, noise and unfamiliar<br />
surroundings are frightening and stressful<br />
for animals) 28 . Sedation of an animal is not<br />
recommended due to health risks while<br />
unsupervised in the hold and the RSPCA<br />
recommends a vet check prior to flying<br />
to confirm that the pet is fit for travel. 29<br />
Approved guide, hearing and assistance<br />
dogs may travel in the cabin, if they meet<br />
certain criteria set by the airline. 30<br />
IMPORTING AND EXPORTING PETS<br />
Australia’s strict biosecurity laws can<br />
make importing pets from overseas a<br />
difficult and expensive proposition, with<br />
the level of difficulty depending upon the<br />
country of origin. For example, dogs and<br />
cats from New Zealand do not require<br />
an import permit to enter Australia but a<br />
veterinary health certification is required.<br />
Dogs from some rabies-free countries may<br />
be imported if granted an import permit<br />
with post arrival quarantine required.<br />
<strong>June</strong> <strong>2022</strong> THE BULLETIN 15