The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill law passed its third reading on July 1st and became law on July 6 when it gained Royal Assent signed by the Governor General.

The new 5 year prison term for causing the cruel death of animals punishes on the same basis those who inflict cruelty on animals and children. Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock said that was a very strange message for a civilised government to be sending in the 21st century.

“The message being sent by this government gets even stranger in light of another recent decision by the Minister of Conservation to make the Katipo spider a fully protected species. Cause the death of one of those and you can receive up to 6 months in jail and up to a $100,000 fine!

"The really strange thing though, is that this law won’t apply to your actions when covered by the Animal Health Board, Regional Councils or the Department of Conservation. Then you can kill our native birds, deer, pigs, chamois and other fully protected species with impunity, all in the name of pest control.

"Pest control contractors can even kill with the world’s cruellest poison, 1080, make large amounts of money doing so, and have no fear of prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act and the Wild Animal Act.

"There is something seriously amiss when any Government treats children like animals, and promotes a society where humanitarian standards are enforced in laws that apply to some and not to others," said Mr Baldock.

Contact
Larry Baldock
021864833

For photos of poisoned animals  click on this link to 53 photos