Those who have committed crimes of unimaginable cruelty to animals will be subject to an immediate, lifetime ban from working around animals and owning animals under a new law passed in NSW yesterday.
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The state became the first in Australia to introduce the tough punishment for animal abusers, following a long campaign led by Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst.
People who had previously been convicted of extreme cruelty or assault, such as bestiality, were allowed to continue working or caring for animals in NSW.
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Under the new laws, anyone convicted of serious animal cruelty or bestiality under the Crimes Act 1900 will automatically be banned from being near animals for life.
The new legislation has moved NSW from the state with the most lenient animal cruelty laws to the strictest, according to Ms Hurst.
Since starting her campaign for tougher sentences two years ago, Ms Hurst said she had seen cases of convicted abusers being allowed to continue breeding, partnering and buying animals.
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The new law is celebrated online
"We are optimistic that the increased penalties, along with the provision of a ban on possessing or working with animals for those convicted, will have a significant impact on animal abuse cases in NSW," he said.
Thousands have celebrated the news online, with people calling the law a huge victory for animals.
Information source: news.com.au
