I am forming this petition in response to the rapid increase of reports on dog fighting rings/kidnapping companion animals as dog fighting bait.

I decided to put time into this campaign because, although they do not have voices of their own, dogs are our family. We adopt them, raise them and grow to love them as if they are our own children. For criminals to be able to just steal them and be charged with theft, a very short jail term, a small fine, and potentially a several year ban from owning companion animals, is reprehensible. Nobody should have to live in fear of their beloved companions being kidnapped when their back is turned. Nobody should have to deal with chalk marks and spray paint on or around their property and their fences smashed down. Nobody should have to endure the heartbreak of the murder of their dear family member.

Unfortunately this issue is very real and growing rapidly and needs to be addressed in a way that criminals will have severe repercussions for their actions which could result in a significant decrease of activity.

 

Below is a link to an example of dog fighting. Please do not view if you are sensitive to graphic material.

The Face of Dogfighting: One Dog's Incredible Journey

Credit for this video goes to Humane Society International.

 

Currently there are no animal welfare codes in development pertaining to the safety of companion animals. 

Source:

Biosecurity; Having Your Say - Codes of Welfare in Progress​

Ministry for Primary Industries - Animal Welfare Consultations

"It is important that before a code is recommended to the Minister that public consultation is undertaken to ensure the range of views held within the community is taken into account."

 

Having our say is an important part of shaping our country's laws and for real change to come about, we need as many people on board with this who care for companion animal welfare as is possible.

Our goal is to see the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to include and certainly not limited to;

• Abduction of domestic companion animals.
• Putting domestic companion animals in situations where their life or safety is endangered.
• Violence towards domestic companion animals.
• Murder of domestic companion animals.

Outcome of said topics would involve appropriate prosecution, similar to that of a human criminal committing a human abduction, violence or murder crime.

Guide to the Animal Welfare Act 1999: Table of Contents

 

A proper submission will be drafted once we have enough support behind us to take a shot at making this real.

 

Please support our cause. The difference begins now.