Mandating Pet Owners in Australia to Spend Triple Hours Every Day with Their Furry Friends Under Proposed Rules
New Code of Practice for Dog Welfare in the Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has proposed a new Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, aiming to ensure all dogs receive proper treatment for their comfort, security, and physical and mental well-being. The draft Code is open for community feedback until August 22, 2025, and is expected to become law in early 2026 [1][3].
The draft Code mandates that dog owners must spend a minimum of three hours each day in human contact with their dogs. This requirement emphasizes the importance of quality time and interaction with the dog, not just co-presence [1][2][3][4]. Additionally, the Code prohibits practices such as retractable leads and surgical debarking, reflecting a broader commitment to humane treatment [1][2].
However, the draft Code does not specify any penalties for failure to comply with the three-hour daily interaction requirement. This has raised concerns among pet owners and officials regarding enforcement [2][4]. While the draft sets out mandatory standards, the methods for monitoring or enforcing these requirements have not been detailed [2][4].
The ACT has a strong recent track record in animal welfare, having recognized animals as sentient beings in 2019. As a result, punishments for animal cruelty have been made more severe, and new offenses such as hitting or kicking an animal, abandonment, or confinement in a car likely to cause injury, stress, or death have been added [1].
The proposed legislation has been met with mixed reactions from pet parents. Some, like Tam Goddard, have criticized the legislation for not being well thought through and questioned how human contact would be defined and policed. On the other hand, Rhiannon Kwateng, of RSPCA ACT, supports the proposed legislation, stating that it would ensure all dog parents meet their pets' mental needs [1].
The new Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the Australian Capital Territory represents a progressive move in Australian animal welfare law but still faces questions regarding practical enforcement of some of its more prescriptive requirements.
Key Points
- The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs in the Australian Capital Territory aims to ensure all dogs receive proper treatment for their comfort, security, and physical and mental well-being.
- The draft Code requires dog owners to spend a minimum of three hours each day in human contact with their dogs.
- The draft Code prohibits practices such as retractable leads and surgical debarking.
- Enforcement methods for the Code have not been detailed, and there are questions regarding practical enforcement.
- The ACT has a strong recent track record in animal welfare, having recognized animals as sentient beings in 2019.
[1] [Link to official legislation website] [2] [Link to news article about the Code] [3] [Link to government press release about the Code] [4] [Link to community feedback forum for the Code]
- Pet owners in the Australian Capital Territory are to ensure their dogs receive a proper standard of care, including the provision of quality time and interaction, as stipulated in the new Code of Practice for Dog Welfare.
- In line with the new Code, pet owners must forgo practices like using retractable leads and performing surgical debarking, as these are deemed inhumane.
- Despite this progressive shift in dog welfare, questions remain about the practical enforcement of the three-hour daily human contact requirement and other prescriptive regulations, sparking concerns within the pet-owning community.
- The Australian Capital Territory, known for its strong commitment to animal welfare, has previously recognized animals as sentient beings, reinforcing its stance on humane pet care and lifestyle, and instilling a home-and-garden environment conducive to pet well-being.
