ACT's tough 'animal sentience' laws impose new penalties for mistreatment of animals

Dan Jervis-Bardy
September 27 2019 - 12:00pm
RSPCA ACT chief executive officer Michelle Robertson, who was welcomed the passage of the new laws. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos
RSPCA ACT chief executive officer Michelle Robertson, who was welcomed the passage of the new laws. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

The ACT has become the first jurisdiction to recognise pets as "sentient beings", after tough new animal welfare laws were passed in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Dan Jervis-Bardy

Dan Jervis-Bardy

Federal Politics Reporter

Dan covers federal politics from Parliament House, with a special focus on climate policy and the NDIS. He has previously reported on ACT politics and urban affairs since joining the Canberra Times in 2018.

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