By Kat Wong

Owners who leave dogs in hot cars or use painful prong collars on their pets could face jail time under proposed changes to animal welfare laws.

Under the proposals, offenders in NSW could be fined a maximum of $44,000 and sentenced to a year in prison in line with other animal cruelty offences.

The changes would bring the state more into line with laws in Western Australia and South Australia.

In WA, offenders can be fined up to $50,000 and jailed for up to five years. Similar fines apply in SA but jail terms are limited to four years.

The NSW changes would also remove barriers for animal welfare inspectors to offer pain relief, allow authorised personnel to euthanise animals in emergencies, and make it an offence to posses illegal glue traps – which can ensnare native animals and cause slow protracted deaths.

The proposals are expected to be introduced to state parliament in the first half of 2026 after discussions with key stakeholders.

“Leaving dogs in locked cars on hot days is not acceptable, and neither is the use of collars with prongs that spike into the necks of puppies and dogs,” NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said.

“I’ve heard firsthand community views that put expectations on our government to take action and set these matters right.”

The reforms will also crack down on animal fighting, by addressing potential loopholes and supporting police to address links to organised crime.

Those who facilitate animal fights could be fined up to $110,000 and face up to two years in prison.

NSW already banned puppy farms in 2024, invested millions in animal welfare enforcement, and updated legislation to prevent those convicted of animal cruelty from keeping and breeding animals.

In the past six years, RSPCA NSW received more than 500 reports of pets being locked in cars.

The organisation said even mild conditions could result in life-threatening temperatures inside vehicles.