responsible animal ownership

Responsible Animal Ownership

How people interact with animals

Topic One -Animal Ethics

Ethics/ morality• People’s judgments or moral code, based on their

beliefs and principles. Our ethical code of conduct is affected by the way we are brought up, our religious beliefs, and our experiences in life

• Codes of practice are approved lists of behaviour

How Humans interact with animals

• How is public opinion about animal use formed?• Society’s concerns for animals today

• Worksheet page 8 -attitudes toward animals

RSPCA 5 freedoms

Roles of people in the animal care industry

Pets in our society

List the roles of pets in society

The demographics of pet Ownership

Features of dogs as pets

Care and Play

Human Cat Interaction

Problems of Pet Ownership

Dog Nuisance

Dog Bites

Pedestrians (5%) and bicyclists (3%) were bitten whilst walking or riding on the street, and a further 5% of children were bitten when they climbed the fence into a neighbours yard to

retrieve a ball or simply when they were climbing on a fence.

Injury commonly occurred when the bitten child was playing with the dog (17% of bites to children), patting the dog (10%) or feeding the dog or attempting to play with the dog whilst it was eating (5%),

Three percent of children were bitten after teasing or hurting the

dog including pulling its tail or hitting it, eg. ‘pulling dog by tail

and the dog bit him’ and 11 children were bitten when

hugging or cuddling the dog.

Areas of Attack

Promoting Desexing

Pets other than dogs

Animal

Hoarding… a dismal, hidden

network Inspector Chris Coddington

Animal Hoarders - also known as Collectors, Animal lovers, the crazy cat/dog person.

Definition of an Animal Hoarder - One who has accumulated many animals, overwhelming that

person’s ability to provide even the most basic standard of nutrition, hygiene & veterinary care;

- Failure to acknowledge the deteriorating condition of the animals, including disease, starvation & even death, & the household environment, such as, severe overcrowding and unsanitary conditions.

- Failure to recognize the negative effect hoarding has on their own health & well-being, let alone that of other household members & neighbours.

Fact• Cats and dogs are the most commonly hoarded

species but any accessible animal can become part of a collection.

• Numbers of animals hoarded can range from a dozen to hundreds.

• Animal hoarding is a problem that most likely exists in every community, in both rural and urban sectors.

Fact• Animal Hoarders are very secretive & reclusive,

going to great lengths to conceal their premises from the outside world.

• Many hoarders can lead a double life to the extent of having a successful professional career. Some discovered hoarders were professional nurses, there has been a mid wife, a psychologist, a panel beater & a microbiologist, but there are also many pensioners.

Fact• Animal Hoarders are usually in complete denial that

the animals in their care are suffering, coming up with the most bizarre & irrational explanations for blatantly obvious health & hygiene issues.

• Often Hoarders self medicate animals with cocktails of human & animal medication. This gives them comfort, feeling they are “treating” the animals, doing their best.

Fact• They feel the animals are better off with them, no

matter what condition the animals are in, rather than risk the possibility of them being euthanased.

• They stubbornly refuse to part with any of their animals.

• They are repeat offenders with almost 100% recidivism.

Animal Hoarders generally live in severe squalor

• The floors inside are often rotting from urine & faecal saturation.

• The stench is overpowering & sickening.• The rooms are dark & dingy from windows being

covered up to prevent the prying eye.• Faecal matter cakes every surface including the walls &

furniture.• Cobwebs engulf the ceilings & windows.• Power, water & plumbing are often limited or non-

existent inside the premises, and often there is no refridgerator.

Detection• Their situation gets out of control & begins to

encroach on the outside world.• Odour invades neighbouring properties & public

thoroughfares.• Unsightly rubbish piles up around the house.• Sick, emaciated &/or dead animals may be seen.• Unbearable noise from animals fighting or vocalising.• The local vet often becomes suspicious.

Profile:• A middle aged professional male & female couple.• Female – midwife in a hospital.• House owned.• 33 dogs inside the premises, 6 cats outside.• Prosecuted & convicted twice resulting in fines, legal costs to be

met & prohibited from owning more than 6 dogs (2004).• Currently in appeal process.• Collects papers, rubbish.

Avalon

Blacktown

Profile:• Middle-aged, single male - panel beater.• House owned.• 9 dogs, generally confined.• Stated he was studying genetic lines for human cancer

research.• Prosecuted 2004 – long drawn out case. Convicted & placed on

a bond – ordered to pay some legal & most boarding/vet costs.• Collects porn magazines, boxes of items and books.

Merrylands

Profile:• Elderly male pensioner – ex bus driver.• Owns home.• 40 – 60 plus cats inside & outside.• Prosecuted in 2000 – not recognized as a hoarder at time -

convicted & placed on a 3 year bond.• Re-offended 2004 – worked with him in reducing the number of

cats. Left with 5 desexed cats – he paid all costs.• Monitored.

Eastern Creek

Profile:• Middle-aged male, single pensioner.• Owns home.• 20 - 30 cats, reasonably healthy on last visit.• No prosecution – working on reducing numbers.• Monitoring.• Collects papers, boxes and rubbish.

North RichmondProfile:• Middle-aged male pensioner, divorced – has older children (not at

address).• Previously a businessman.• Numerous cats and one dog (2004).• Mentally unsound - can be aggressive, throws human/animal faeces

at visitors – was recently gaoled for theft, malicious damage, carrying a knife.

• No prosecution at this stage – cat numbers reduced – 5 cats (desexed) & the dog are still in custody at the RSPCA.

• Collects boxes, papers taken from local library, rubbish and car batteries.

How to assist in dealing with the problem?

• RSPCA branch members should report all known Animal Hoarders through the call centre at Yagoona or to your local Inspector

• It is best for Branch members not to approach a Hoarder as they will become suspicious of your intention & farm out animals amongst their network of co-Hoarders leaving the Inspector with little to investigate

• Keep a record of resources that can be made available to an Inspector when they are to investigate a Hoarder, such as, vans for transport, cages, etc

• Monitor your volunteers & the number of animals they care for. Hoarders do try to affiliate themselves with animal welfare organisations, Councils, etc

Legislative changes needed• Defining of an Animal Hoarder• Total ban or limit of animal ownership• Returned animals be sterilised• Authorization for the Hoarder to be monitored• The Hoarder to reimburse the animal welfare organisation for

costs related to seized animals• The Hoarder to undergo psychological evaluation & treatment• A monetary bond to be imposed

How Inspectors are dealing with Hoarders

• Document & video on site• Investigative kit prepared• Animal behaviouralist on site• Vet on site• Network resources – Reference group• Resolve on site or seize & prosecute• Use Media – educate the public, vets & agencies

The Companion Animals

Act

What is the Act?• The act is an legal obligation to companion animal

owners

• The Act to provide identification and registration of companion animals

• It covers only Dogs and cats at this stage

• This act is reviewed every 5 years

What is the Act?…• The companion animal act supercedes the Dog Act• Impound act still applies under certain circumstancesIf the animal is in:

• National parkHistoric siteNature reserveState game reserveKarst conservation reserveor an Aboriginal area

Infringements of the Act• Infringements of the Act are the responsibility of the

council

• On occasions the police

• RSPCA inspectors have no power under this Act

Exemptions from the Act• These animals are exempt; they do not need to be

microchipped, lifetime registered, wear a collar or tag

• Working dogs• Assistance dogs• All cats born before 1st July 1999 unless they have

been impounded and or re-homed

Loss of exemptions• Any animal with an exemption may have their

exemptions revoked if:-

They are impoundedDeclared dangerousAre subject to a nuisance dog/cat order

Registration costs• $35.00 desexed cat or dog • $15.00 desexed for pensioners• $35 for breeders• $100.00 for an entire cat or dog

• This is for the life of the animal – it is the owners responsibility to notify registry if they move, animal is lost or dies

Registration costs

• The reduced rate for registration is intended as an incentive to encourage desexing

• There is no compulsory desexing of animals in NSW

Holding periods

• 7 or 14 days minimum

• The first day is not counted (the day the animal arrived) – count only the days the animal can be viewed by the public not public holidays or special days when the shelter/pound is closed (ie. training days)

Injured strays and council• Many councils will not pick up injured strays – they

believe this falls under the responsibility of POCTA not CAA

• CAA does not differentiate between injured and non-injured animals

• The RSPCA does pick up and attend to the needs of the injured animals but there are over 40 councils and 1 RSPCA in the Sydney area

Definition of “Owner”

• The owner of the animal (in the sense of being the owner of the animal as personal property)

• The person by whom the animal is ordinarily kept (whether or not the animal is registered)

• The registered owner of the animal

Notification to owner(s)• Note: A provision of this Act that makes the owner of

a companion animal guilty of an offence makes each owner guilty of the offence

• Notifications have to be in writing

Identification Requirements• All companion animals are required to be identified

from the age of 12wks and before sale“Sell” extends to transfer of ownership, including a gift

• All companion animals are required to be identified before sale regardless of age

• A person has to be over 18 years of age to purchase and or register a dog

Identification Requirements…

• It is an offence to own an unregistered dog 6mths or over

• The extension for compulsory registration expired in September 2002

Identification Requirements…• From July 1999 all cats must wear a form of

identification which includes the name and contact details of the owner

• identification may take the form of:• Collar with relevant information• Microchip• It is an offence not to comply

The Companion Animals Act

CATS

Nuisance – cats• The cat is a nuisance if the cat is:

• Constantly noisy or to a level that interferes with the peace or comfort of persons in another premise

• Repeatedly causes substantial damage to other property

Nuisance order – cats• The order must be specific to which behaviour is

required to stop, more than one may be listed• Orders are valid for 6 months from issue• Owners must ensure that their cat complies with the

order while it is in force• The officer who issued the order must notify the

Director General within 7 days of issue

Prohibited areas for cats• Food preparation / consumption areas - within 10

metres of apparatus used for preparation or consumption of food for humans

• Wildlife protection areas• If a cat is found in a prohibited area the owner is

guilty of an offence• Exceptions

• Food preparation / consumption area - is on a public thoroughfare ie. Footpath

The Companion Animals Act

DOGS

Nuisance – dogs…• The dog is a nuisance if the dog is:

• Endangers the health of a person, animal (other than vermin or stock)

• Repeatedly causes substantial damage to other property

• If an authorised officer is satisfied the dog is a nuisance an order can be served

Nuisance - dogs• The dog is a nuisance if the dog is:

• Constantly out roamingDefinition of a stray – any dog which is in a place (other than where it is normally kept) unaccompanied by a responsible person

• By barking persistently• Repeatedly defecates on some one else’s

property• Repeatedly runs or chases a person, animal (other

than vermin or stock) or vehicle

Defaecating in public places• Faeces must be removed and disposed of in a proper

manner• Proper disposal includes a bin provided by the

council for that purpose – it is the councils duty to provide adequate bins in areas used for dog exercising

• This does not apply to persons that have an assistance animal and their disability makes it not practical to comply

Dogs in public places• Dogs must have a collar on with:

• The name of the dog• The address and contact numbers

• Dogs do not need to wear a collar and tag on it’s own property

• Dogs must be under effective control and on a leash• Dogs are not considered to be under effective control

if the person has more than four dogs

Dogs in public places…• Lone unleashed dogs may be seized by any person

(including an authorised officer)• Only an authorised officer may seize a dog with the

owner present, and only if they have continued to leave the dog unleashed after they have been made aware of the contravention

• Putting the dog on a leash will not prevent action being taken for the contravention, BUT the dog can not be seized

Dogs in public places…• Exceptions

• Dogs accompanied by a competent person and in an off leash area – as long as the number of dogs does not exceed 4

• Dogs working stock• Dogs being exhibited for show

purposes,obedience classes or trials• Police dog• Dog secured in a cage,vehicle or tethered

Prohibited areas for dogs• Children’s play areas - within 10 metres of play

apparatus• Food preparation / consumption areas - within 10

metres of apparatus used for preparation or consumption of food for humans

• Recreational areas - set aside for playing organised games

Prohibited areas for dogs• Shopping areas - arcade or complex, that are signed

at conspicuously at reasonable intervals• Wildlife protection areas• School grounds – government and

non government• Childcare centres• Public bathing areas

Prohibited areas for dogs

• Exceptions• Food preparation / consumption area - is on a

public thoroughfare ie. Footpath• School ground / childcare center - with the

permission of the person in charge• Shopping area - with management permission or

the dog is in a vehicle or the dog is being taken to a pet shop, veterinary practice or similar establishment

Prohibited areas for dogs

• Exceptions• Police dogs• Assistance dogs

Dog attacks• The owner is responsible if the dog:

• Rushes at • Attacks• Bites• Harasses or chases any person or animal other

than vermin – whether or not the person or animal is injured the owner is guilty of an offence

Dog attacks…

• Exceptions• It is not an offence if the dog was:

• Teased• Mistreated• Attacked or otherwise provoked• Person or animal trespassing on the property that

the dog is kept

Dog attacks…• Exceptions…

• The dog was acting in reasonable defence of a person or property

• It is not an offence if the dog was: • During lawful hunting• During working of of livestock or during the training

of livestock

• This section does not apply to police dogs

Dog attacks…• It is an offence to set or urge a dog to:

• Attack • Bite • Harass• Chase a person or animal (other than vermin)

Dog attacks penalties• Maximum penalty

• 20 penalty units except dangerous or restricted dog

• 100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment for dangerous or restricted dog

• 1 penalty point is equal to $110.00• If the dog is listed as dangerous or restricted a

conviction under this section results in a permanent disqualification from owning a dog

Dog attacks…• Up to 4 hours after the attack on persons or animals

an authorised officer may enter land but not property to:• Seize the dog• If the dog can not be adequately secured on land

occupied the the dogs owner• Any person may seize a dog if it is on their

property• This applies even if there is no injury from the

attack or bite

Dog attacks…

• Dog may not be seized if:

• Dog is adequately secured on land occupied the the dogs owner

• Dog is under control of the owner (unless owner has urged dog to attack the person or animal)

Declaration of a dangerous dog• Council can declare a dog dangerous if:

it is ordinarily kept with in that councils area and the council is satisfied that the dog is dangerous

• A declaration can be made by the council or in response to a written application of a police officer or other persons

• A declaration is effective throughout the State and not just to the council area the dog is usually held or declared dangerous

Definition of Dangerous dog

Companion animal acts definition of “dangerous”:-

• A dog is dangerous if it has without any provocation attacked or killed a person or animal (other than vermin)

• Repeatedly threatened to attack or chase person or animal (other than vermin)

Objections to declarations• Owner has 7 days after the notice to object, if no

objections are noted council will proceed with the declaration

• If there is an objection raised the council must give that consideration prior to the declaration being passed

Liabilities• The owner of the dog is liable for damages if:• Bodily injuring a person, and damage to clothing in

the course of the attack• This does not apply if:• The attack was on the property or in the vehicle of the

owner and the person attacked was unlawfully on the property

• The attack was the result of a direct intentional provocation

• This does not apply to police dogs

Liabilities…• The owner of the dog is liable for damages if:• If the attack is fatal or non fatal to another animal

(except vermin)

• This does not apply if:• The dog is attacking or chasing another animal if:• It is the in the course of stock work• If the dog is provoked by persons other than the

owner• The dog attacks in direct response to being attacked

Disqualification of dog ownership

• Any persons convicted of any of the following offences:

• Encouraging a dangerous or restricted breed to attack and or cause grievous or actual bodily harm

•This person will be permanently disqualified from owning a dog. A disqualified person can appeal - within 28 days, the appeal has to go to district court

RSPCA and restricted breeds

• RSPCA polices state that dogs from a restricted breed will not be re-homed and will be euthanased

• Restricted breeds are :PitbullsJapanese TosasArgentinian fighting dog (Dogo Argentino)Brazilian fighting dog (fila Brasilero)

Restricted breeds

The following breeds are under import restrictions

• Pit bull terriers

• Owners have to comply with the housing requirements for restricted breeds

Restricted breeds –Japanese Tosa

• The following breeds are under import restrictions

• Japanese Tosas

• Owners have to comply with the housing requirements for restricted breeds

Restricted breeds –Argentinian fighting dog

• The following breeds are under import restrictions • Argentinian fighting dogs

(Dogo Argentino) • Owners have to comply

with the housing requirements

Restricted breeds –Brazilian fighting dog

• The following breeds are under import restrictions

• Brazilian fighting dogs (Fila Brasilerio)

• Owners have to comply with the housing requirements for restricted breeds

Housing requirements• Owners of a Dangerous or restricted breed dog must

have:

• Child proof enclosure• Display official signs “dangerous dog warnings”• When off property they dog must never be with

out the supervision of a person over 18• leashed and muzzled at all times in public

places• Desexing is compulsory

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

The main legislation governing cruelty to animals in NSW

Initially introduced in 1979.

Various amendments - most recent 1997.

The objectives of this legislation are:

*to prevent cruelty to animals, and

*to promote the welfare of animals by requiring persons in care of animals to:

1. provide care, 2. treat animals in a humane manner, and 3. ensure the welfare of the animal.

Cruelty to animals.

It is illegal to commit an act of cruelty on an animal, or to authorise someone

else to be cruel.

In addition, the law imposes further requirements.

It requires that a person not fail to:

•exercise reasonable care, control or supervision of animals•where pain is being inflicted, to take reasonable steps to alleviate that pain, and•where necessary to provide the animal with veterinary treatment.

• The penalties for a breach of these requirements are up to $250,000 for a corporation, or $5,000 for an individual, or a maximum of six months in jail.

Aggravated cruelty to animals.

This is a higher level offence, where the cruelty inflicted on an animal is considered to be of a worse nature, and leads to the death or serious injury of the animal.

It is an offence to abandon an animal

Fines for this offence may be up to $500,000 ($10,000 for an individual) or

two years jail.

….a range of other offences including

It is illegal to transport an animal in a manner which unreasonably,

unnecessarily or unjustifiably inflicts pain on the animal.

It is also an offence to fail to provide sufficient food, drink or shelter for an

animal

It is also an offence to fail to provide a confined animal with exercise for

more than twenty-four hours

a driver who strikes and injures an animal must either reasonable steps to alleviate that pain, or inform the owner of that animal if it is domestic stock.

A person is not guilty of an offence under the legislation if the person was:

•Ear-marking, ear tagging or branding a stock animal,

•Castrating a stock animal that is less than six months of age (except for pigs, where the age limit is two months)

•Dehorning cattle or goats less than 12 months of age.

•Mulesing or tail docking a sheep less than six months of age

•Hunting or slaughtering an animal for the purposes of human consumption

Legislation also prescribes a range of animal husbandry and cosmetic procedures

Docking the tail of a horse, cow, calf or dog,

declawing a cat, or

grinding the teeth of sheep

trimming the ears of a dog,

nicking the tail of a horse

”Coursing" using live animals and steeplechasing and hurdle racing of horses

are also banned.

The use of steel-jawed traps is also

banned, as are certain types of snares and traps used to catch wild animals

POCTA refers to Codes of Practice for the

welfare of animals.

These are Codes of Practice that have been developed for a range of specific animal management activities, and specific situations. They include feedlots, saleyards, and the management of sheep, goats, buffalo, cattle, goats etc.

Animal welfare inspectors can obtain a search warrant to enter a farm, and direct a livestock manager to carry out certain activities where the inspector believes the animals are being treated cruelly.

This includes the power to destroy animals that are being treated cruelly, and to seize animals.

• It is an offence to fail to provide food to a horse, which is both proper AND sufficient?

• FINE: $5,500 and/or 6 months in prison

Example of an undernourished horse

• It is an offence not to attend to a horses feet?

• FINE: $5,500 and/or 6 months in prison

Horse in need of vet treatment

Overgrown hooves

Horse requiring vet treatment

Horse left without vet treatment

Horse left without vet treatment

Animal Research Act• Vet nurses and animal workers need to be aware

of this Act because they may: • work for a research institution • be involved in treating animals that are part of

research • be asked questions by the public and need to be

aware of the Act

Poisons Act• This Act controls the registration of drugs and

restricts their sale. It controls the “scheduling” of drugs which is indicated by the codes S4, S8, etc. Veterinary nurses and animal workers need to be aware of this Act because they must:

• be familiar with the schedules and be aware of what drugs they can legally sell over the counter and which ones they cannot.

• understand the importance of correct labelling and of withholding periods for veterinary drugs.

Stock Medicines Act

This Act controls all drugs sold for use in treating animals, whether they come under the Poisons Act or not.

• It covers things like worm tablets.   • Veterinary nurses and animal workers need to be

aware of this Act because:• many of the items that they sell are covered under

this Act and they need to be aware of the necessity for stock medicines to be licensed.  

Pesticides Act• This Act is concerned with all chemicals sold for

external use on animals (eg flea rinses).   • Veterinary nurses and animal workers need to be

aware of this Act because: • they will be using many of these products and also

selling them • there can be serious health implications if the

products are not used correctly

Quarantine Act• This act places restrictions on, and quarantine periods for,

movements of animals and plants, and their products, into and out of Australia.

• Some animals and some products cannot be brought into the country at all, others have to be quarantined first.

•  Vet nurses and animal workers need to be aware of this Act because:

•  they may be asked questions by clients about importing or exporting animals or animal products

• It is essential that up to date information be obtained prior to giving any advice (eg  the disease status of countries can change, resulting in overnight changes in quarantine requirements). Failure to follow the correct procedure can result in the euthanasia of animals.

Exotic diseases of animals Act 1991

• This is a relatively new act that was passed to help to keep certain exotic diseases out of Australia. It is concerned with the movement of plant and animal materials (including live animals and their products) into Australia, and plans for what would happen if an exotic disease occurred. The diseases considered to be of greatest risk to Australia have been determined, and contingency plans have been worked out for dealing with such an outbreak. 

• Vet nurses and animal workers need to be aware of this Act because:

• they may be involved in the disease control measures if an exotic disease outbreak does occur and they may also be involved in discussing the control measures with clients.

National Parks and Wildlife Act

•    This act is concerned with all native Australian animals, including birds, reptiles and mammals. It controls who can have them and what can be done with them.  

• Veterinary nurses and animal workers need to be aware of this Act because:

• they need to be aware that native animals are special and that they must contact either the National Parks and Wildlife Service or a local licensed wildlife carer whenever these animals are brought in.

Vet Surgeons Act• This act governs the registration of veterinary

surgeons and controls what they can do, and how they can do it, including standards for veterinary hospitals.

• It also limits people other than registered veterinary surgeons from doing things that are classed as “acts of veterinary science”.  

Non Veterinarians may:•de-worm any animal

•mules sheep under 12 months of age•dehorn cattle less than 12 months old

•dehorn goats under 1 month old•castrate cattle, sheep or goats less than 6 months

old•castrate pigs less than 2 months old

•vaccinate using killed vaccines•where a registered vet is not available, attend and treat an animal in urgent need of vet attention or

treatment•perform AI

The 10 commandments of Responsible pet ownership

• 1. Feed an adequate balanced diet.• 2. Supply clean cool water at all times.• 3. Provide a cosy dry sleeping area.• 4. Provide the animal with regular exercise and allow the pet regular

family contact.• 5. Protect the health of the dog and cat, particularly: vaccinations, regular

worm control (including heartworm for dogs) & control of fleas and ticks.• 6. Register the pet with the local council Permanent identification

increases the chanceof recovery if the pet is lost.

• 7. Confine the dog to the property at all times, especially at night. Cats should be kept inside the house or garage overnight.

• 8. Train the dog so that it is not a nuisance to neighbours, for example, by barking or attacking people or other animals.

• 9. Dogs and cats that are not used for breeding should be desexed. • 10. Ensure the dog or cat is adequately cared for during holidays,

preferably at a reputable boarding kennel or cattery.

Basic Advice for Owners• Housing• Nutrition• Hygiene• Health Care• Grooming• Exercise and Training