The NSW Government is progressing its review of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTAA), with a set of proposed law changes on the drawing board.
The Government says the review of POCTAA and proposed changes represent the most comprehensive reform to the state’s animal welfare laws in years, recognising the need for modern legislation to align with community expectations.
Among the proposed changes include offences for leaving dogs in hot vehicles, tougher animal fighting laws and banning the use of painful prong collars.
While there is no one register of complaints, in the six years to 2024/25 RSPCA NSW data identifies more than 500 reports from the public of dogs being ‘locked in cars’.
“Leaving dogs in locked cars on hot days is not acceptable, and neither is the use of collars with prongs that spike into the necks of puppies and dogs,” said Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty.
“I’ve heard firsthand community views that put expectations on our government to take action and set these matters right.
“Fair minded people and industry stakeholders are requesting improved compliance and enforcement of animal welfare laws.
“There has been a significant volume of feedback from the public on animal welfare and that feedback has informed the policy positions we have set out.
“Now we are getting on with the job of drafting a bill to change the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.”
More than 7,000 submissions have been received through a range of consultation processes – including feedback on the re-make of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation in early 2025, and from recent parliamentary inquiries.
The Government’s proposed changes aim to strengthen animal welfare protections and set clear expectations on acceptable practices. They include:
- Strengthening animal fighting offences to address potential loopholes and support NSW police in addressing their links to organised crime
- New offences for:
- leaving a dog unattended in a hot vehicle
- using or possessing prong collars which are a discredited and painful dog training tool that is currently illegal to import
- possessing glue traps that are already illegal to set in NSW
- Strengthening enforcement powers and penalties to send clear signals to perpetrators of animal cruelty
- Removing barriers to humane intervention in critical situations – allowing POCTAA inspectors to administer pain relief to animals where necessary and allowing appropriately trained Local Land Services personal to euthanise animals in emergencies.
“These proposed new laws address significant gaps in animal welfare,” said Animal Welfare League NSW chief executive officer, Stephen Albin.
“This package of proposed laws addresses some of the worst examples of animal cruelty
“Laws for leaving a dog in a hot car and using prong collars are critical – they are two examples of animal cruelty that require legal action given the harm they cause.
“Our inspectors on the front line are often called out to animals in distress, and it is important that they can provide pain relief.
“Our inspectors also spend a lot of time educating people about animal welfare, but the new laws provide much-needed new powers to deal with the worst cases and offenders.”
The Government confirmed it will discuss these proposed changes with key stakeholders and expects to present a Bill to Parliament in the first half of 2026.
“As the peak body representing all canines, we are supportive of positive welfare outcomes for all animals,” said DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee member, Lyn Brown.
“DOGS NSW supports law changes that promise to deliver added protections for animals by setting clear expectations on acceptable practices pertinent to leaving dogs in hot cars, the use of prong collars, and measures to strengthen animal fighting offences by addressing potential loopholes.
“We are looking forward to continuing to be part of the deliberations and look forward to seeing them become law.”
