The ACT government plans new fines of up to $3200 for leaving an animal in a car, as part of a raft of tougher animal welfare laws.
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The new laws would allow people to break into a car to save an animal, where the action is deemed reasonable, Minister for City Services Chris Steel said.
They would also make it an offence to fail to groom and "maintain" your animal, and add other care offences such as failing to provide water or shelter, failing to provide a hygienic environment, and hitting or kicking an animal.
No more than three dogs could be walked by one person at a time, under the laws.
Tough new fines will cover people and organisations that deny access to people with assistance animals. The offence covers businesses such as buses, taxis and rideshare, restaurants, shopping centres and professional, trade and commercial premises.
Individuals can be fined $4000 and corporations $20,250 for denying a person access.
New offences will cover dog fighting and violent animal activities. People deemed cruel to animals, having committed serious offences or repeat offences, could be banned from owning an animal, living with an animal and caring for an animal.
Pet boarding places and pet shops would have to be licensed under the proposed laws.
The legislation recognised animals as sentient beings that could feel emotion and pain and deserved to have an acceptable quality of life, Mr Steel, who has released the proposed laws for comment until February 7, said.
