Animal Welfare
United Future believes cruelty to animals should not be placed in a separate category from other criminal activities.
- United Future would double the current maximum penalty for an offence relating to the ill-treatment of an animal from a $25,000 fine or six months in prison to a maximum fine of $50,000 or one year in prison.
- Recognising that more and more New Zealanders are becoming worried about the incidence of attacks by dangerous dogs, United Future believes that dangerous breeds should be placed on a ban-list and dogs on that list should be neutered. New animals listed as dangerous would be banned.
- United Future would promote mandatory standardised labelling with regard to the use of animals in food production, e.g. clearer labelling to show the distinction between battery and free-range eggs.