A recent study from the University of Otago in New Zealand reveals that a shockingly small percentage of reported animal cruelty cases actually make it to court.
In the last year, only 26 out of 1200 complaints of animal abuse ended up in court – equaling around 2 percent.
The Animal Welfare in New Zealand: Oversight, Compliance and Enforcement report focuses on how well the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and SPCA enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
“Only the most egregious breaches of the Act lead to prosecutorial action,” said co-author Marcel Rodriguez Ferrere. “We wanted to find out more about why prosecutions remain low and are only ever initiated where there is a particular degree of severity involved.”
The findings included a massive lack of funding for both organizations. Only 1.6 percent of MPI’s annual budget over the last year was designated for animal welfare enforcement, education and policy advice. And the SPCA, with running costs upwards of 9 million a year, received only $400,000 NZD from the government.
Another factor in this under-prosecution is a lack of independent representation for animals within the system. MPI is tasked both with animal welfare and protecting New Zealand’s farming industries – often a clash of interests.
While children and the environment have independent commissioners to advocate for their needs, animals do not. The report urges the establishment of a commissioner for animals.
“We have a system in New Zealand of reactive compliance rather than proactive investigation,” said Ferrere. “That means we are relying on complaints from the public to ensure our animal welfare legislation is being complied with and that’s because essentially there isn’t enough funding for the enforcement agencies.”
SPCA SEO Andrea Midgen agrees that only the most shocking cases end up in court.
“We make sure we prosecute the ones that are very serious but there’s a big bunch in the middle that perhaps some could be prosecuted — but we choose to educate or give warning notices instead,” she said.
In a country that prides itself on being a nation of animal lovers, with more than two-thirds of people guardian to at least one animal, it’s time to ensure they are protected and respected. We hope the government follows the report’s recommendations by conducting an inquiry into animal welfare enforcement and taking necessary steps to improve it.
How embarrassing and shameful to not recognize and care about our Animals who so desperately need proper care, love and respect — NZ is a country so developed in many other ways, yet in the area of Animal Care, NZ lags behind centuries — let’s get it together and START doing the RIGHT THING for our Animals.
Yeah, they have gun control but only after a terrorist attack. So it’s logical to assume that something horrendous will have to happen in order for Jacinda Ardern to get serious about it.
Hurting an animal is just as bad as hurting a human.
The results of the above are shocking. We as humans have the right and obligation to care for and protect the species of the world that are unable to speak for themselves. It is a well documented fact that animals abusers are human abusers. Why is any country allowing such a low report on animal abuse. Time for changes!!!!!
If every person on this planet does not start caring about the animals we share our space with, and showing at least some kind of love and respect for them, karma will inevitably take its course. We absolutely must educate people and do everything we can to change the state of this world.
Every single one of these animals is a precious part of what we are. Big changes must come about or we all lose.
I find this to be a real shame that NZ does nothing for its animals! What an embarrassment as the world sees you as a country who wouldn’t know compassion if it hit you in the face. Time to step up to the plate and do something about it!
Step up New Zealand and prosecute animal abusers. Hear their cries. See their pain and suffering. Animals are God’s gift to us.
Terrible, cruelty needs to stop.
Thought New Zealand were better than this.
Thought New Zealand were better than this.
Are you aware that this is third world mentality? Only people with no regard of life do nothing. Studies have also shown that when behavior like this doesn’t get resolved it leads to cruelty to humans. If I were you I would reconsider what you do on this issue.
New Zealand AND Australia need to re-evaluate their concept on animal welfare.
Between this and the wholesale slaughter of feral cats,NZ and Australia are de-volving into China and other Asian countries.
We’re saving for a trip for our 10th anniversary – it was supposed to be to NZ and Australia – two beautiful countries.
Not anymore.. We won’t support places that do not respect animals.
Wake up, New Zealand, and get civilized!
Shame on you New Zealand, your government needs to seriously step up regarding animal welfare laws.
They need to step up on this. If any body hurts any animals they need to be punished for their actions
They need to step up on this. If any body hurts any animals they need to be punished for their actions
This is terrible.
Please do your utmost to ensure that animal rights are protected!!! A country can be judged by tbe way it treats its animals!!
That’s horrible.
I am amazed that just 2% of abuse and cruelty animal cases end up in court. I always imagined New Zealand as a modern sympathetic country where innocent creatures are concerned. Shocking is the word.
New Zealand and Australia can now join hands with Asia on the animal cruelty 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡👿👿👿👿👿👿👿👿👿