The Queensland government is preparing to ban pronged dog collars as part of their Animal Care and Protection Act.
The Australian state government has announced the move as they attempt to give out harsher punishments for cases of animal abuse.
The state’s Animal Care and Protection Act is undergoing modifications, to ensure animal cruelty is targeted head-on, with those suspected of abuse, facing stricter penalties for their actions.
The controversial collars, which are facing a ban, are used as a punishment when dogs pull on the lead. As it tightens, the metal prongs dig into the neck, something which the RSPCA has advised against.
Animal inspectors are also reportedly going to be given more power, meaning they can issue fines to those using the collars and other circumstances where animal abuse is recorded.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk took to social media on Sunday to share the ban and why they’re hoping to pass the new legislation…
“We’re passing legislation to crack down on the inhumane treatment of animals in Queensland,” she wrote in her post.
“We know the majority of Queenslanders support tougher penalties and regulations against cruelty to animals,” she added.
“That’s why this week we’ll be debating animal welfare laws in the Queensland Parliament – an issue close to the hearts of so many Queenslanders,” she concluded.
Mark Furner, the agriculture minister, confirmed their new move during a press conference the same day.
He explained: “Today we’re talking about changes to the use and possession of pronged collars on dogs, so they’ll be banned. A very inhumane practice in the way you can train dogs,” he announced.
Hopefully, this is the start of stricter animal welfare laws!