The Animal Welfare Act 2025 establishes framework for protecting animal welfare and preventing harm in South Australia. It recognises animals as living beings capable of experiencing positive and negative states and places a general duty of care on owners to provide adequate food, water and living conditions and to take reasonable measures to minimise harm. It creates offences for neglect, abandonment, ill-treatment and intentional or reckless conduct causing death or serious harm, with heightened protection for working animals and substantial fines and imprisonment terms. The legislation prohibits organised animal fighting, live baiting, the possession of related equipment and jumps racing, and regulates the use of electrical devices for controlling animals. It requires prescribed activities, including breeding, supplying, keeping or using animals for scientific purposes, to be licensed, permitted or registered. Animal ethics committees must oversee scientific use, ensure humane treatment and approve animal acquisition and use only where essential and undertaken by appropriately qualified persons. Fishing and aquaculture activities conducted in accordance with relevant sectoral legislation are generally exempt from the animal welfare offences, subject to prescribed exceptions. The Act authorises appointed officers to inspect premises and vehicles, obtain information, issue welfare and compliance notices, seize animals and take urgent action to prevent unnecessary harm. The Act also establishes an Animal Welfare Fund, review mechanisms and protections against obstruction and victimisation, provides for interstate orders and information exchange, amends related criminal, sentencing, veterinary and animal-management legislation, and repeals the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and its regulations.
Australie · 2025-02-27