The Animal Welfare Bill has been passed, significantly raising penalties for cruelty to animals. The Animal Welfare Amendment Act increases the maximum sentence for animal ill-treatment and neglect from three to five years and the maximum fine will double to $100,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a body corporate. The Act redefines the description of some offences, for example, it expands the threshold for the offence of wilful ill-treatment and adds a new offence of reckless ill-treatment as well ...