After years of public concern and calls for reform, the NSW Government has announced a major step forward in strengthening animal welfare laws across the state.
The changes stem from the long-running review of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and represent one of the most significant updates to animal welfare legislation in NSW in decades. The Government says the reforms reflect what the community has been asking for: clearer laws, stronger protections, and better enforcement when animals are at risk.
More than 7,000 submissions were received during consultation, highlighting widespread concern from animal welfare organisations, pet owners, farmers, and everyday residents about gaps in the current system.
What is being proposed
The reform package focuses on making animal welfare laws clearer and easier to enforce, while addressing issues that regularly cause distress in the community.
Key proposed changes include:
- A specific offence for leaving dogs in hot cars, with penalties applying where animals are exposed to dangerous conditions. This is something animal welfare groups say has been difficult to enforce under existing laws.
- Stronger laws targeting animal fighting, aimed at improving police powers and disrupting organised cruelty.
- A ban on prong collars and glue traps, devices widely criticised for causing unnecessary pain and suffering.
- Expanded powers for animal welfare inspectors, allowing faster intervention in serious situations, including administering pain relief or humane euthanasia in emergencies where appropriate.
The Government says these changes are intended to remove ambiguity and give enforcement agencies clearer authority to act before animals suffer serious harm.
Reforms already in place
Several changes highlighted in the announcement are already law.
Puppy farming was banned in NSW in 2024, restricting large-scale commercial breeding operations. The Government has also committed more than $25 million between 2024 and 2026 to support authorised animal welfare charities and enforcement bodies.
In addition, people convicted of animal cruelty offences are now prevented from breeding or owning animals, closing a loophole long criticised by welfare advocates.
Why it matters
For many regional and rural communities, animals are part of everyday life, not just pets but working animals and livestock as well. Clearer laws and stronger enforcement can make a real difference, particularly in situations where neglect or cruelty occurs behind closed doors.
Animal welfare organisations have broadly welcomed the reforms, describing them as overdue and reflective of changing community expectations around animal care and responsibility.
What happens next
The Government plans to continue consultation with stakeholders before introducing legislation to NSW Parliament in the first half of 2026.
If passed, the reforms would bring NSW animal welfare laws closer to modern standards and provide stronger protections for animals across the state.
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