Stronger Laws, Safer Animals

 

Sign up now to strengthen Victoria’s animal cruelty laws

Victoria’s jail terms are the lowest in the country, with aging 40-year-old legislation, meaning violent animal abusers are getting off lightly. This state election, we’re calling on all parties to commit to:

  • Tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences by modernising legislation
  • More funding for RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate to investigate cruelty and rescue vulnerable animals

Add your voice today!

By signing up, you give RSPCA Victoria permission to contact you about this campaign and our broader work for animals. You can change your contact preferences or unsubscribe at any time. Your details are safe; see our Privacy Policy here.

Let us tell your local MP that you expect better for animals.








Our election priorities

Priority 1

Tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences

Victoria’s most violent animal abusers are getting off lightly.

Currently Victoria’s animal cruelty jail terms are the lowest in the country — five times less than the maximum.

Even worse, nearly a third of Victorian animal cruelty offenders re-offend within four years.[1]

We need tougher penalties for animal cruelty offenders to deter repeat offenders and can do this by modernising Victoria’s 40 year old animal welfare legislation.

We’re asking political parties to get tough on animal crime by bringing in indictable offences and modern legislation

A very thin mistreated dog

Priority 2

Increased and on-going funding for RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate

Victorians rely on our Inspectors to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty, yet ongoing annual funding only covers 18% of the Inspectorate’s costs. This doesn’t include the costs to care for the animals while waiting the outcomes for court cases which costs the RSPCA nearly $6 million dollars every year.

With 1 in 4 animal cruelty investigations having a violent person of interest flagged, funding to improve safety while enforcing the law is critical.

We’re asking political parties to fund animal cruelty enforcement and commit to increased ongoing funding

Who endorses our priorities?

In the lead up to the state election in November, we will be approaching the major parties to find out where they stand on these two animal welfare priorities. The scorecard will be updated as we receive formal confirmations from the parties of whether they endorse or don’t endorse the priorities.

Endorses the policy

 tick icon

Does not endorse the policy

 stance unclear

Stance unclear

 stance unclear
OUR ELECTION PRIORITIES
Tougher penalties Increased and on-going funding
Victorian Labor stance unclear stance unclear
Coalition stance unclear stance unclear
Victorian Greens tick icon tick icon
Animal Justice Party stance unclear stance unclear
One Nation stance unclear stance unclear

Add your voice today

Sign Now

[1] https://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/first-ever-review-sentencing-for-animal-cruelty-offences-victoria