Pet owners in Australia could be required to spend three hours daily interacting with their dogs under proposed legislation
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has proposed a new Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, marking a significant step forward in animal welfare laws. This draft code requires dog owners to spend a minimum of three hours daily of "human contact" with their dogs, ensuring proper treatment and maintaining the comfort, security, physical, and mental wellbeing of dogs at all times [1][2][3].
Rhiannon Kwateng, of RSPCA ACT, supports the proposed legislation. She believes that most dog parents already spend more than three hours with their pets and that the code would ensure they all meet their pets' mental needs [2]. The minimum daily human contact means interactive time spent with the dog, providing care, stimulation, exercise, and companionship [2]. The three-hour benchmark is intended as a basic standard to help dogs' overall happiness and well-being.
The legislation covers broader welfare issues beyond time spent, potentially including surgical debarking and guidelines for equipment like leashes. It is designed to apply consistently to all dogs within the territory [1]. However, the proposed mandate has sparked public debate about enforceability and whether it represents government overreach or necessary protection for dogs [1][2][3].
Tam Goddard, a pet parent, acknowledges that enforcement could be difficult but believes it can be worked out once the laws are decided upon. Goddard, however, expressed concerns about the legislation, stating it doesn't seem well thought through and questioning how human contact would be defined and policed [3]. Goddard defines "human contact" as being in the same room with the dog, stating that it meets their basic needs [3].
The Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill in 2019 made punishments for animal cruelty more severe and added new offenses such as hitting, kicking, abandonment, or confinement in a car likely to cause injury, stress, or death [4]. The new proposed legislation is a continuation of the ACT government's effort to raise animal welfare standards in line with recognizing dogs as family members with specific needs [1][3].
The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs is open for public feedback until August 22, 2025, and the Australian Capital Territory residents can give their opinions on the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs [5]. The proposed legislation has been divisive among pet parents, with some questioning how it would be enforced, while others, like Rhiannon Kwateng, believe it is an essential step towards ensuring the wellbeing of our furry companions.
References:
- ACT Government - Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs
- RSPCA ACT - Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs
- ABC News - ACT to mandate minimum three hours of human contact with dogs daily
- ACT Government - Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
- ACT Government - Have Your Say - Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs
- Rhiannon Kwateng, from RSPCA ACT, supports the new Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs, emphasizing that it ensures all dog parents meet their pets' mental needs.
- The draft code specifies that minimum daily human contact with dogs requires interactive time for care, stimulation, exercise, and companionship.
- Dog parents like Tam Goddard acknowledge the potential difficulty in enforcing the legislation, but see its enforcement as manageable once the laws are decided upon.
- The proposed Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs seeks to improve the overall happiness and well-being of dogs, aligning with the ACT government's goal of recognizing dogs as family members with specific needs.
