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ABC News
01-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
RSPCA, farmers unite in criticism of WA's 'grey' animal cruelty laws
Farmers and experts say Western Australia's animal welfare laws are no longer fit for purpose, leaving residents exposed to surprising legal risks. The state's Animal Welfare Act provides the framework for the care and welfare of animals, as well as defining various forms of cruelty. But experts say the laws, and the regulations that underpin them, are "too broad". RSPCA WA chief executive Ben Cave said it was often difficult to draw the line between a humane killing and animal cruelty. He said he was waiting for recommendations from a 2019 independent review of the act to be implemented and the law needed to be modernised. Teresa Collins, from Murdoch University's School of Veterinary Science, said the laws failed to take WA's diverse environment into account. "The same legislation needs to cover the management of rangeland cattle that hardly see humans up in our northern areas of WA, compared to the management of dairy cows and mainstream beef systems in our South West," she said. Thousands of kangaroos are hit by cars on roads every year and motorists are often unsure of what to do when an animal is injured. Professor Collins said the law provided little support or structure for what an individual — who may never have encountered an animal, let alone euthanased one — is meant to do in this situation. In a statement, WA's Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions said: "The best thing to do if you encounter displaced or injured native wildlife is to call the Wildcare Helpline on (08) 9474 9055." DBCA said the helpline gave advice on dealing with the animal and who to contact for assistance, including people with the authority to carry out euthanasia. When the ABC called the Wildcare Helpline at 5:30pm on a Thursday, a recorded message said there was a shortage of volunteers to take calls and directed callers to a website containing a list of wildlife organisations. "Science would say [the injured animal] needs to be humanely destroyed as soon as possible, but if you have no implement or you have no firearm on you or you don't have a licence to use one, then you would have to seek the help of someone," Professor Collins said. "Very small animals can be potentially humanely destroyed by blunt trauma, but that's not likely to be the case in kangaroos of reasonable weight. "It's a really challenging scenario because you would think that there would be some person available to assist within a reasonable time." Native wildlife is protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 which is enforced by DBCA but also sits under the Animal Welfare Act which is enforced by the RSPCA. The varying way the laws can be applied was evident in two recent high-profile cases. Last month, three men in the Goldfields were fined a total of nearly $130,000 for animal cruelty offences after bludgeoning a pigeon with a golf club multiple times. Last year Mid West livestock farmer Calvin Royce found eight of his young calves dead or dying after they were deliberately run over in a paddock by an intoxicated driver. The driver of the vehicle was jailed but was eligible for parole after two months. "It doesn't sit right with me," Mr Royce said. "It's a pigeon; they got the maximum fine for a pigeon. "I'm not condoning cruelty to any animal, a pigeon, a cow or whatever, but I think there is a big difference between killing some pretty innocent calves and killing a pigeon." WA Farmers president Steve McGuire said the term cruelty was open to individual interpretation based on a person's personal experience and knowledge. "What I might think is cruel, you might not. Putting that subjective term into law becomes problematic," he said. Mr McGuire said this was problematic in a legal setting, with officials only having two options under WA law: prosecute or do nothing. "If you go into a courtroom, you're dealing with a judge or prosecutor who [probably] don't have an agricultural background," he said. "We have a general population that is so far removed from agriculture, their knowledge is a vacuum." The RSPCA's Ben Cave said it was unlikely a farmer humanely euthanasing an injured animal would ever face prosecution. "Although I can't guarantee that because every prosecution is based on fact and context," he said. "Something that is simply not acceptable when a vet clinic might be 500 metres away may be acceptable in a different context where a vet clinic is 500 kilometres away." Professor Collins said producers needed better support and education to meet society's animal welfare expectations. But she said the general public also needed a better understanding and appreciation of food production. "Farmers are asked to be innovative to adopt the changes that science is suggesting, yet they still need to be profitable," she said. "The Australian public is very concerned about the care and treatment of animals and livestock, but there isn't a necessary increased willingness to pay by those same people to have their food produced in that manner. "Society often doesn't see the link between the changes they're asking from our producers and then not wanting to pay more for any changes made."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania hunting licenses to go on sale, with a change
(WHTM) — This year, all Pennsylvania residents are guaranteed to get an antlerless deer license, as long as they buy one in time. The licenses will go on sale Monday, June 23, along with all other general 2025-2026 hunting and furtaker licenses. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now But this time, all PA residents are guaranteed to get an antlerless license for the Wildlife Management Unit of their choice when they buy it by 7 a.m. on Monday, July 14, the day license sales open to nonresidents. That's three full weeks to make a purchase. 'Guaranteeing resident hunters an antlerless license for the WMU of their choice provides them flexibility in deciding when to purchase, and ensures every resident hunter can get a license without waiting, if so inclined,' said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. To purchase a license online, go to and sign in or create a new account on the platform. Online purchases should arrive within 20 business days, but they also come with an immediate digital license. Those who prefer the traditional route can check out the commission's interactive map for stores selling licenses near them. Anyone purchasing in-store will get their license and harvest tags immediately. Pennsylvania lawmakers pass changes to Sunday hunting The new license year begins July 1, at which time 2024-20255 hunting and furtaker licenses, as well as mentored permits, will expire and new licenses will be needed. General hunting licenses cost $20.97 for resident adults and $101.97 for nonresident adults. Antlerless deer licenses cost $6.97 for residents and $26.97 for nonresidents. A full list of prices can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
16-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Former Manitoba PC leadership candidate loses appeal of polar bear ecotourism permit cut
A Churchill ecotourism business has lost its appeal to keep its polar bear viewing vehicle permits this year. In February, the provincial Wildlife Branch informed Wally Daudrich that it was rescinding licences for his company, Lazy Bear Expeditions, to operate two tundra vehicles on the coastal plains of the Churchill Wildlife Management Area, where polar bears gather in large numbers each fall before the ice freezes up on Hudson Bay. The Wildlife Branch told Daudrich — a former candidate for leader of Manitoba's Progressive Conservative Party — that the continuing decline in the number of polar bears on the western side of Hudson Bay, based on a 2021 aerial survey, was the reason for the decision. The branch said the province was reducing the number of vehicles allowed to traverse the tundra in the management area from 20 to 18. That was the number of vehicles permitted to carry tourists to see polar bears prior to 2020, when the provincial government granted two vehicle allocations to Lazy Bear. Last March, Daudrich asked the Manitoba Court of King's Bench to review the Wildlife Branch's decision, declare it invalid and restore his permits for two vehicles. Daudrich also asked the court to declare the decision was unreasonable and made in bad faith. A judge dismissed Daudrich's motion for an injunction in April. In a decision dated June 9, the three justices of the Manitoba Court of Appeal dismissed Daudrich's appeal of the April decision. "What Lazy Bear is actually seeking is not an injunction prohibiting the minister from acting," the decision says. "Rather, it is an injunction requiring the minister to act — to issue a new permit when an earlier permit expired — something the minister is not obligated to do." The Wildlife Branch inaccurately told Daudrich that it was "rescinding" Lazy Bear's vehicle licences, but its intention was to let Daudrich know that his business would not receive a permit in the 2025-26 season, the appeal court's decision says. Established precedent has proven there's no automatic right to licence or permit renewals, the appeal court decision says. The judge who heard Daudrich's injunction motion also said Daudrich did not prove that he'd suffered irreparable harm without the vehicle licences that couldn't be recovered as damages from the province if his lawsuit were successful, according to the appeal court decision. A provincial spokesperson said they could not comment on a matter before the courts.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PA Game Commission springtime alert: Leave young wildlife alone
May 17—Whether in their backyards or high on a mountain, it's almost certain Pennsylvanians will encounter young wildlife this time of year. While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, usually they are not. It's likely their mothers are watching over them from somewhere nearby. So when encountering young wild animals, whether deer, birds, raccoons or something else, the best thing you can do is leave them alone. "During this time of year, it's common for people to see young wildlife and mistakenly assume that they are abandoned or in need of help," said Matthew Schnupp, the Game Commission's Bureau of Wildlife Management Director. "As well-intentioned as they are in trying to help these animals, the reality is that the mother is probably nearby and waiting for you to leave so she can return. The best approach when encountering any wildlife is to simply let them be." Adult animals often leave their young while they forage for food, but they don't go far and they do return. Wildlife also often relies on a natural defensive tactic called the "hider strategy," where young animals will remain motionless and "hide" in surrounding cover while adults draw the attention of potential predators or other intruders away from their young. Deer employ this strategy, and deer fawns sometimes are assumed to be abandoned when, in fact, their mothers are nearby. The Game Commission urges Pennsylvanians to resist the urge to interfere with young wildlife or remove any wild animal from its natural setting. Such contact can be harmful to both people and wildlife. Wild animals can lose their natural fear of humans, making it difficult, even impossible, for them to ever again live normally in the wild. And anytime wildlife is handled, there's always a risk people could contract diseases or parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice. Wildlife that becomes habituated to humans also can pose a public-safety risk. Some years ago, a yearling, six-point buck attacked and severely injured two people. The investigation into the incident revealed that a neighboring family had illegally taken the deer into their home and fed it as a fawn, and they continued to feed the deer right up until the time of the attack. It is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild. Under state law, the penalty for such a violation is a fine of up to $1,500 per animal. Under no circumstances will anyone who illegally takes wildlife into captivity be allowed to keep that animal, and under a working agreement with state health officials, any "high risk" rabies vector species confiscated after human contact must be euthanized and tested — none can be returned to the wild because the risk of spreading disease is too high. Animals infected with rabies might not show obvious symptoms, but still might be able to transmit the disease. Though any mammal might carry rabies, the rabies vector species identified in the agreement are: skunks, raccoons, foxes, bats, coyotes and groundhogs. People can get rabies from the saliva of a rabid animal if they are bitten or scratched, or if the saliva gets into the person's eyes, mouth or a fresh wound. Only wildlife rehabilitators, who are licensed by the Game Commission, are permitted to care for injured or orphaned wildlife for the purposes of eventual release back into the wild. For those who find wildlife that truly is in need of assistance, a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website, If you are unable to identify a wildlife rehabilitator in your area, contact the Game Commission by phone at — 1-833-PGC-WILD or 1-833-PGC-HUNT. PFBC celebrates National Safe Boating Week with statewide kickoff event The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is celebrating the upcoming National Safe Boating Week, which will occur May 17-23, with a statewide kick-off event at the PFBC's Fort Hunter Access along the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg (Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County). During this special week, conducted in partnership with the National Safe Boating Council and other boating safety advocates across the country, the PFBC reminds all boaters to follow a basic safe boating checklist before and during each boating adventure. —Always wear a life jacket —Never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs —Have a float plan to let someone know where you'll be boating —Check the weather forecast before and during your trip —Take a boating safety education course National Safe Boating Week is celebrated annually, just ahead of Memorial Day, which is considered the unofficial start to the summer boating season across Pennsylvania. The week is a celebration of the Commonwealth's vast boating opportunities, as well as a reminder that safety should be a priority before and during every boating adventure. Waterways Conservation Officers will be on patrol throughout the upcoming holiday weekend and throughout the summer to conduct safety checks and look for signs of impairment. Just like operating a motor vehicle on the road, in Pennsylvania, a person operating a boat is over the legal limit if he or she has a blood alcohol concentration of point-zero-eight (0.08%) or higher. The PFBC also reminded boaters and anglers that two Fish-for-Free Days will happen on Sunday, May 25, and Friday, July 4. On these days, anglers do not require a fishing license, but regulations including seasons, sizes, and creel limits, still apply. Laurel Anders, PFBC Deputy Executive Director, said "I'll begin with the number one thing you can do — wear your life jacket. Law requires that you have a life jacket aboard for every person on your boat. Life jackets must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, are in good condition, and fit each person on your boat. If you have children on board, make sure you have a life jacket that fits snugly on the child. Children ages 12 and under must always wear a life jacket when aboard a boat less than 16 feet in length, including all canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. "Nationwide each year, approximately 80-percent of victims who die in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Ask yourself if you'd be willing to take that same chance — or allow your friends and loved ones to take that chance when you head out boating this summer. Please, always wear your life jacket." State Senator Patty Kim added, "Always check the weather forecast before and during each boating trip. A fast-moving thunderstorm can cause water levels to rise quickly and become dangerous. High water conditions can affect visibility and hide submerged obstacles such as logs and rocks that could cause you to capsize."
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PA Game Commission releases 2024-25 deer harvest estimates
Mar. 30—WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania hunters harvested about 11% more deer in the 2024-25 hunting seasons than they did the year before, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates released this week. The statewide 2024-25 harvest is estimated at 476,880 deer — 175,280 of them antlered deer and 301,600 antlerless. By comparison, the statewide 2023-24 harvest was estimated at 430,010 deer. Most of that year-over-year increase is attributable to the antlerless deer harvest. The 2024-25 buck take was up 2% over the year before, and 9% over the most recent three-year average. The 2024-25 antlerless harvest increased 17% over the year before and 21% over the three-year average. Far from cause for concern, that was partly by design, said Game Commission Deer and Elk Section Supervisor David Stainbrook. The Game Commission's objective was to reduce deer numbers in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) impacted by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), where deer impacts on forest health are occurring and where populations are increasing, contrary to objectives. Each and every year, however, hunters play a critical role in managing Pennsylvania's deer populations, said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. By buying their hunting licenses, obtaining available antlerless deer tags and filling them, hunters help guide local deer populations toward target levels. As deer populations rise, the task becomes all the more important, Smith said. The Game Commission's harvest estimates are calculated using antlered and antlerless harvest reports submitted by hunters in combination with data from deer checked by crews at processors across the state, Stainbrook said. Last season, hunters reported 147,000 deer — by far most often using the online reporting form — and Game Commission personnel checked more than 27,000 deer at processors around the state. Across the state, about 28% of hunters took an antlered deer. That's the highest success rate since at least the late 1980s. And, as has become the norm since the implementation of antler point restrictions, most of those bucks were older ones. Two of every three were at least 2.5 years old. That's a huge change from decades ago, when most of the harvest was made of up 1.5-year-old deer. Meanwhile, hunters turned about 26% of antlerless tags into a harvested deer. That's consistent with past seasons. So, too, is the fact that about 69% of those deer were adult females. Looking at the harvests by season, hunters once again took more deer overall in the regular statewide firearms deer season than in any other. It accounted for an estimated 283,760 deer, counting 86,530 antlered and 197,230 antlerless. Archers, meanwhile, took an estimated 87,540 antlered deer and 90,600 antlerless, while muzzle-loaders got an estimated 1,210 antlered deer and 13,770 antlerless. A map showing a breakdown of the harvest can be found on the Game Commission's website — PA Game Commission delivers annual report Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith this week testified before the House Game and Fisheries Committee and presented the agency's annual report to the General Assembly. To view a copy of the agency's annual legislative report, visit — — and click "About Us," then, "Reports and Surveys." Rep. Walsh announces change in fishing regulations at Harris Pond The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is alerting anglers that it has temporarily lifted all seasons, size and daily limits for all species of fish at Harris Pond in Sweet Valley, Luzerne County, according to Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township. These regulations took effect on Saturday, March 22, and will remain in place until Jan. 1, 2026. The PFBC has found this action is necessary and appropriate to reduce the number of fish in advance of a draw-down of the lake for a future dam project. The temporary modifications to fishing regulations will be posted in the vicinity of the lake. Harris Pond is a 30-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating. State launches grant program to help schools and childcare facilities eliminate lead in drinking water The Shapiro Administration is launching a no-cost water sampling program for eligible schools and childcare facilities across the Commonwealth to eliminate lead in drinking water and reduce childhood lead exposure. Testing water in schools is important because children spend a significant portion of their days in these facilities. The longer water remains in contact with lead plumbing, the more opportunity exists for lead to leach into water. As a result, facilities with on again/off again water use, such as schools, may have elevated lead concentrations in their water. Testing the water at each facility is the only sure way to find out if the water contains too much lead. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) received federal funding for the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program through the EPA's Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Program. "We know the health risks associated with childhood lead exposure, which is why we're committed to seeing it eliminated whenever possible," said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "The WIIN program is a win/win for Pennsylvania's children because it helps find where the problems are and helps eliminate them. By continuing to take action to get lead out of our drinking water, this grant program will promote a healthier, safer Commonwealth." Eligible schools and childcare facilities can apply to test and/or remediate lead in their drinking water. Eligible lead reduction activities may include purchasing and installing hydration stations, point-of-use (POU) devices designed to remove lead, and replacement of faucets. DEP has contracted with Terraphase Engineering to perform the lead testing. To qualify, applicants must have drinking water sample results demonstrating an exceedance of the EPA's remediation trigger level (5 parts per billion) within 36 months of the date of their application. Recipients may be eligible for reimbursement up to $3,000 per installed hydration station.
