THE RSPCA is calling for on-the-spot fines for dog owners who leave their pets inside cars while shopping, with a recent heatwave contributing to a spate of complaints.
RSPCA officers in only two states – Tasmania and New South Wales – have the power to administrate on-the-spot fines or infringement notices for minor offences.
But RSPCA public relations manager Tim Mayne said recent complaints about dogs being left in cars in several shopping centres across the metropolitan area indicated the message about leaving pets in cars was not getting through.
“We’ve received a number of complaints and we think it’s time the State Government took another look at on-the-spot fines or infringement notices,” he said.
“If an RSPCA inspector spots a dog in a hot car, or a dog not tethered correctly to a ute, or an animal not provided with adequate food or water, we think we should have the power, like in Tasmania or New South Wales, to deliver on-the-spot fines.”
Mr Mayne said ideally the fines would range from $200 to $500 and be issued under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
He said the fines would not replace prosecution.
“The RSPCA would still prosecute people in court for major offences and if people did not pay these fines, they could opt to go to court to dispute the fine or have the matter dealt with by a magistrate,” he said.
“It’s just grossly irresponsible to leave an animal in a car, especially with the weather we have been having lately.
“You hear about people justifying it by saying they wound the window down. I don’t know about anyone else, but if I’m sitting in my car with the air-con off and the window down, it still gets very hot. And I don’t have to deal with wearing a fur coat. Animals aren’t that lucky.”
An Agriculture Department spokesman said there were currently no plans to grant RSPCA officers the power to hand out on-the-spot fines.