Minns government strengthens animal welfare laws

Leaving a dog unattended in a hot car will soon be illegal in New South Wales under new laws introduced to NSW Parliament to strengthen the state’s animal welfare laws. 

The Minns Labor government says it is backing strong public support for tougher animal welfare laws with sweeping changes to legislation which is more than 45 years old.

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Enforcement and Operational Powers) Bill 2026 will modernise enforcement powers to ensure NSW’s animal welfare laws reflect community expectations by increasing the level of penalties, introducing new offences for unacceptable behaviours, and strengthening existing protections. Some of the key changes include:

• Fines of up to $44,000 for leaving a dog unattended in a vehicle without adequate cooling or ventilation for more than 10 minutes when it is over 28°C, or for restraining a dog on a hot metal ute tray when it is over 28°C.

• Tougher animal fighting laws which cover training, preparation, presence at fights and possession of animals for fighting, with penalties going up from $5,500 to $110,000 and imprisonment up from 6 months to 2 years.

• Allowing inspectors to administer sedation and pain relief to minimise an animal’s suffering until veterinary treatment.

• Prohibiting the possession and use of painful dog prong collars

• Requiring pain relief when mulesing sheep, regardless of the sheep’s age.

• Updating maximum penalties across the Act to reflect community expectations. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition here.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty with 2WEB’s David Sharp. Photo TWH