Why this matters to dog professionals

The Victoria Draft Animal Care and Protection Bill introduces broad and unclear language that could negatively affect lawful, ethical dog training and working-dog programs.

Key concerns include:

1. Expanded definition of cruelty

• • The bill goes beyond physical harm and includes psychological distress.

• • Lawful training methods could be challenged if someone interprets them as causing stress—even when used responsibly and professionally

2. Increased enforcement powers

• • Authorities could inspect facilities, issue compliance orders, or seize dogs before actual harm occurs.

• • This opens the door to subjective enforcement and disruption of legitimate training programs

3. Training tools may be indirectly restricted

• • Although the bill does not explicitly ban tools (such as e-collars), its vague language could allow future regulations or interpretations that effectively restrict professional tools without public debate

4. No clear protections for working or performance dogs

• • Working, sport, service, and detection dogs are not clearly distinguished from companion pets.

• • Uniform welfare standards may fail to recognize the functional needs of working dogs and professional conditioning programs

5. Uncertainty around future regulations

• • Many important details are deferred to future regulations.

• • This creates compliance uncertainty for trainers, facilities, and handlers who may not know what is legal until enforcement begins

Why IACP is concerned

• • Ethical, structured training could be mischaracterized as cruelty

• • Professional judgment may be replaced by activist-driven interpretations

• • Working-dog programs could be undermined by one-size-fits-all welfare rules

What you can do

A petition is currently circulating urging Parliament to adopt this bill. IACP members and supporters are encouraged to:

• • Contact Victorian Members of Parliament

• • Express concerns about how this bill could impact:
    
    • • Professional trainers
    • • Working and service dogs
    • • Lawful, evidence-based training practices

Key contacts (Victoria)

• • Parliament House (General Contact)
    (03) 9651 8911
    info@parliament.vic.gov.au

• • Legislative Council e-Petitions
    epetitions.council@parliament.vic.gov.au

• • Legislative Assembly e-Petitions
    epetitions.assembly@parliament.vic.gov.au

• • Animal Justice Party (Sponsor of the Petition)
    Office of MP Georgie Purcell: (03) 5427 2444

(You may also contact your local Legislative Assembly or Council member directly.)

Preventing cruelty matters—but poorly written laws can unintentionally harm ethical professionals and the dogs they serve. IACP supports animal welfare and the right of qualified professionals to train dogs safely, responsibly, and effectively.

For more information, please contact Legislative Committee Chair, Bailey Heater at Legislative@iacpdogs.org.