Concerns raised following animal neglect in the ACT

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Cases of animal cruelty in the Act have been in
the headlines recently, causing the RSPCA to call for more
awareness around appropriate care, as well as animal bands and
maximum penalties. It comes as police have seized multiple pets
from homes across Canberra recently who have faced some pretty
serious neglect. Photos released by police after an incident in

(00:22):
the suburb of Lions showed a terrified, starving puppy with
a horribly skinny waist and even a goat from the
same property who'd been locked in the backyard without any food,
water or shelter. CEO of RSPCA ACT, Michelle Robertson says
we need to start better educating pet.

Speaker 2 (00:40):
Owners that they understand that we have a responsibility to
look after our pets. We control their well being and
we must take that responsibility seriously and just explain what
that means so that we have that shift within the community.

Speaker 1 (00:56):
She says, some people may not know how often our
pets need food or water, or even necessities like being
able to stay warm in winter or cool in summer,
and that needs to change.

Speaker 2 (01:06):
The small minority of people that are unwilling to change,
unwilling to do the right thing when they appear before
the Magist's Court is for maximum penalties to be imposed for.

Speaker 1 (01:16):
Those not providing appropriate care. The current maximum penalty is
sixteen thousand dollars and up to one year imprisonment, while
in cases of cruelty penalties can increase up to two
years behind bars. I'm Hannah Donald reporting for Amplifying News
and to stay up to date whenever suits you, check
out the Camera Cast for all your latest news headlines,

(01:38):
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