Scratch the surface of any decent New Zealander and you will find a deep sense of caring for animals. New Zealanders expect animals in people's care to be healthy, comfortable and properly feed. As a country we expect animals to be humanely treated and not to suffer unnecessarily.

The Government has introduced the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill to help curb cruelty towards animals. There is already an offence, the wilful ill-treatment of animals, which requires that it be proved that a person intended to cause harm to an animal and the animal must be permanently disabled, die or have been destroyed to prevent further suffering. The new Bill adds to this offence by including cases in which an animal is "severely injured or impaired". The maximum penalty for this offence in increased from three years to five years imprisonment. Maximum fines will double from $50,000 to $100,000 for an individual and from $250,000 to $500,000 for a body corporate.

A new offence of reckless ill-treatment is added to the law. This will apply where it is proved that a person knew that serious harm to an animal could occur. This carries a maximum fine of $75,000 for individuals and $350,000 for a body corporate.

Curbing animal cruelty is a priority for the Government.