Plans are underway for the most significant overhaul of the state’s animal welfare legislation in recent years.

The government is proposing a variety of amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty remarked, “We have received over 7,000 submissions in recent years regarding ways to enhance animal welfare laws.”

“The public clearly expects the government to take more decisive action,” she added.

The proposed revisions would make it illegal to leave a dog unattended in a hot car and would ban the use and possession of prong collars, which are deemed painful and outdated for dog training.

The new measures would also strengthen the authority to address animal cruelty and increase the associated penalties.

But there are still questions as to how the laws will look in practicality.

“I’ll be engaging with authorities about defining what the rules are for leaving the animals unattended,” Moriarty said.

Stephen Albin, from Animal Welfare League NSW, said: “They’re constant companions, and one of the issues is you’ve got to ensure you look after them.”

The government will present the bill to parliament in the first half of this year.