Make leaving dogs in hot cars a crime, says NSW gov’t

The New South Wales government says it will introduce changes in the first half of this year to the state’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 in parliament.

The government says a review of the act including more than 7,000 submissions shows the need for ‘modern legislation to align with community expectations’.

‘Extensive stakeholder consultation, animal welfare data and scientific evidence’ have informed Labor’s proposed changes, the government said in Sunday’s announcement.

The proposal includes the introduction of offences for leaving dogs in hot vehicles, banning the use of what the government says are ‘painful prong collars,’ and ‘tougher animal fighting laws’.

Animal welfare groups welcome proposed changes

RSPCA NSW data reportedly identifies more than 500 reports from the public of dogs being ‘locked in cars’ in the six years to 2024/25.

The proposed changes have been informed by.

More detail from the government on Sunday said the changes included identifying potential loopholes in laws against animal fighting and supporting NSW police in addressing their links to organised crime.

Government inspectors would also be allowed to ‘administer pain relief to animals where necessary,’ under the bill and ‘appropriately trained Local Land Services personal to euthanise animals in emergencies,’ the government said.

Animal Welfare League NSW chief executive officer Stephen Albin was quoted in the media release accompanying the announcement saying the group’s inspectors on the front line were often called out to animals in distress.

‘It is important that they can provide pain relief,’ Mr Albin said, adding that the new laws provided ‘much-needed new powers to deal with the worst cases and offenders’.

The government said it expected to present a bill to Parliament in the first half of 2026.