The Dog and Cat Management (Miscellaneous Bill) was
debated in the Upper House ( Legislative Council) this
week and it received bipartisan support from the sitting
members. The members noted the consultation process that
has been and continues to be undertaken with all
stakeholders such as FASA, with approval. Mandatory
de-sexing, mandatory micro chipping and the keeping of a
breeder register all appear to have attracted the
support of the politicians in the Upper House no matter
what political party they are from.
Several Members have proposed amendments such as how
often penalties under the Act should be reviewed by the
Minster every five years or whether the entire Act must
be formally reviewed by the Minister after five years of
operation with the report to be tabled in Parliament.
Three members have concerns of the definition of
desexing and there is a concern over the obligation on
anyone who euthanizes a dog or cat to report to the Dog
and Cat Management Board concerning date, method, reason
etc amongst others.
The Legislative Council will resolve each of the issues
raised via a clause by clause debate at Committee stage
and this may happen in about two weeks.
