Bite on Bad Owners

It's a great concept, don't think I'd get my hopes up too much though, seeing as the RSPCA are involved.

I'm not sure what I think about this...
What if people don't have time to walk them every single day? or if they are unable to for some reason... but they love their pets?
At least those animals would still have a loving home...
It's just like the saying "if you can't afford the vet then you can't afford the pet"
there are some people out there who are loving pet owners but don't have bucket loads of money... & vets can get really expensive!
I don't think that's really fair.
Hrmmm... though it's all in good nature.
Maybe they should focus on something much more important?

I think most people can find 30 minutes out of the day though for free time. But instead of watching 30 minutes of TV, it will mean having to spend the free time on their animal. For people that don't, or have something 'more important' to do, well... should a dog really be in their care in the first place?

"Maybe they should focus on something much more important?" But we're experiencing a domestic pet overpopulation crisis right now! Millions of animals are put-down by organizations like the RSPCA because they were bought on a whim, surrendered to the RSPCA after the novelty wore off, weren't able to find a home via adoption, and so, had to be put-down. This legilsation might actually make people think about their 'purchase.' This legislation might actually save lives.

Right now dogs, and moreover domestic 'pets', are seen as something easy to buy for fun, many times bought on a whim. Taking custody of an animal needs to be seen as a MASSIVE responsibility. It certainly isn't now. This legislation, if passed, will definitely contribute to that sense of responsibility... which is better for all animals

These laws are pretty intrusive though, and as we all know, pollies generally avoid passing such laws. And as we all equally know too, animals are something to be overlooked by the government. Buttttttt, anything is possible! After all, Tony Abbott is now the leader of Liberal Party, isn't he? :S

I like the idea of this.... but how would it be policed? You can't have someone watching every pet owner every day.

And the part about $12,000 fines... we've all watched RSPCA Rescue and how they carry on about the length of jail term they can get and the ten of thousands they can be fined... and what do they get? $300 and a slap on the wrist. Sigh.

This is very true. Like today - it's 36 degrees in Perth. If I walked my dogs right now that would be cruel. So on a day like today would I get a slap on the wrist for not walking my dogs? It's not that I don't care... they are currently sitting between me and my tv on the floor, closer to the fan than I am... my rabbits are cuddled up in my lap.

I'd be surprised if this got anywhere....

Yeah that's true.... but it might have the opposite affect. My relatives are going to give their dog away to the pound because they can't do this all the time... (they work too much)
But then again... I guess if you don't have time for the pet... you really shouldn't have it.
And Yeah you're right, I don't like it how people buy it just because its a cute puppy... and chuck it away because it's 'hard work' *rolls eyes*
I hate it how people breed too many pets >.< but that's a different story...

the concept sounds alright, the news has actually put a bit of a twist on it, it doesn't say dog walking I'm pretty sure the proposal say's something more like  they have to be regularly exercised, that's not all it's covering either it's also talking about needing adequate food/water, and not being kept chained up.
It's actually a pretty good idea, i guess they'd enforce it like they normally do and rely on tips, so if your sick of seeing your neighbors dog tied up all day everyday, you can call it in and no more tied up?

I don't really think this is right. A person could love their dog, keep it stimulated, take it to the vet when it needs to and walk it say...4 days a week. But because they don't walk it 7 days, they're a bad owner? I think that is just stupid and wrong to say. I think it could stop people who would be a loving owner from adopting a dog and so instead of it being in a loving home it's going to sit in a pound with the possibility of being put down. Though people should walk their dog as much as they can and the more the better, I just don't think this is right.

Yeah, I think it is a good idea, because dogs living in town areas need the exercise. But dogs in rural areas don't, cos they run around a lot. Do you know if they are imposing it in country areas?

Some dogs shouldn't be walked too often as they can have heart attacks...
For the people who can't afford vets there are certain clinics that will make a tab for people so they can pay it off a little at a time.
The most caring owners I have met have been the poorest. They go without a car so they can pay for their animals.