Dog owners who keep their animals shut away in cages, crates and kennels for prolonged periods will be fined $500 under new rules proposed by the Government.
Under the proposal, animal welfare inspectors who find two or more signs of prolonged confinement could issue a $500 infringement notice to the dog's owner or the person in charge.
The signs of confinement included a build-up of faeces or urine, a badly damaged enclosure, injuries from an enclosure, muscle wastage, overgrown nails, fly bite dermatitis or excessive frustration.
Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said SPCA inspectors "regularly" dealt with cases of prolonged confinement, with more than 400 complaints in 2024 and 2025.
"Dogs need exercise, company and room to move. When a dog is locked in a crate or kennel day after day with no break, it misses out on all of that, and it suffers.
"Those dogs can become anxious, fearful and aggressive. That's bad for the dog, and it can put families, the public and other animals at risk too."
In 2025, the Government banned prolonged tethering, allowing inspectors to issue $500 infringements. Noncompliant owners could also face court fines of up to $1500.
Hoggard reassured farmers and other responsible dog owners that the new rules targeted only a "small minority".
"Kennelling your dogs at night, or between jobs on the farm, is normal and responsible, and these proposals don't change that. Neither does crating a dog for toilet training, travel, vet care or a house move," he said.
"If your dogs get regular exercise and company, and have room to stand, lie down, stretch out and turn around, you have nothing to worry about.
"This is about the small minority of owners who leave their dogs shut away day after day, to the point where the dog shows clear signs of harm."
The proposals were open for public feedback, and Hoggard said "nothing has been decided".
The consultation period opened today and will close at 5pm on November 23.
"We want to hear whether the proposed signs are clear, whether $500 is the right fine, and whether the rules properly protect normal, short-term confinement.
"We're also asking for views on dog breeding, to help reduce the number of dangerous and roaming dogs, and on commercial services like day care, boarding kennels, walkers and groomers."
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