Local government pounds 1053. Hon Amanda Dorn to the minister representing the Minister for Local Government: I refer to the regulation and operation of local government pounds across Western Australi

AnsweredQoN 1053Legislative Council
Asked
13 November 2025
Portfolio
Local Government

QuestionView source ↗

Local government pounds
1053. Hon Amanda Dorn to
the minister representing the Minister for Local
Government:
I refer to the
regulation and operation of local government pounds across Western Australia.
(1) What are the mandatory standards, guidelines
or reporting requirements governing the management and welfare conditions of
impounded animals in local government pounds?
(2) Does the minister consider the current absence
of a formal inspection, audit or complaint mechanism for pound operations to be
acceptable and, if so, why?
(3) Will the minister commit to introducing
mandatory standards and public reporting requirements for all pounds operated
and contracted by local governments, similar to the current best-practice
model, the Victorian Domestic Animals Act 1994 ,
and, if not, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Local Government.
(1)–(3) Animal management facilities are
governed by the Dog Act 1976 , the Cat Act 2011 and the Animal Welfare Act 2002 , along with the standards
and guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Dogs
in Western Australia . Under the Animal
Welfare Act 2002 , local government pounds are subject to the general
cruelty provisions in section 19, such as the provision of proper and
sufficient food, water and shelter. Complaints can be made directly to the
relevant local government or to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Western Australia.

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