What has the 'office of animal welfare' done to protect the welfare of animals since the Labour government was elected in 2002?

John Hill's response: " In South Australia, rodeos are heavily regulated. Our State's requirements are the toughest of any State in Australia." and " I have also acted to impose tougher Standards for the use of electric prods. Electric prods can only be used with restraint and their use is restricted to the minimum amount necessary as an aid for loading and handling of livestock. It is illegal to use an electric prod when an animal is secured in the chute or when the chute gate opens, unless it is necessary to prevent a possible injury. "

Rodeos are NOT heavily regulated, they are not regulated at all! Thanks to the Office of Animal Welfare adopting the ‘Standards for the Care and Treatment of Rodeo Livestock’. The 'Standards' is a document written by the rodeo fraternity which provides them protection from being prosecuted by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The PCA Act would impose fines of up to $10,000 or 1 years imprisonment for any of the cruelty committed on rodeo animals, but the 'Standards' override the PCA Act — they are a deflection. When breaches to the 'Standards' are made, no one cares. That is why there has never been a prosecution against a rodeo organiser before.

As for toughening up the use of electric prods. We saw the big yellow stick prod being used on bulls to make them kick out of the chute at the Baroota rodeo on the 8th October. Also over the past year we've seen the stick prod and smallerer discreet units, being pushed into bulls anuses in the chutes and being jabbed into their faces while they were quietly waiting out back for their 'turn'. OK, so we know that statement is not true, so what have you really done to improve the welfare of animals in this State?

This is more of the response: "Earlier this year I initiated a public review of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985 to ensure that our State has the best practice animal welfare laws.  The review will look to increase penalties for breaches of the Act and the Government has foreshadowed that some penalties will at least double.  Your concerns regarding rodeos have been conveyed to officers of DEH (the Department for Environment and Heritage) for consideration as part of this review. You may wish to also make a broader submission to the review.  A copy of the public discussion paper is available by contacting DEH on telephone 8124 4800 or at: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/dehaa/pdfs/review_paca.pdf.

Sounds reasonable enough, but look for yourself (above link) to see if you think this is 'getting tough on animal cruelty'. Nothing to stop disgustingly cruel rodeo abuse.