Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW)

Case
No judgment structure available for this case.

Does not include amendments by—

Sec 23U of this Act (sec 23U repeals Part 2AA, Div 4 on 2.12.2035)

Sch 3, cl 18(3) of this Act (Sch 3, cl 18(3) repeals Sch 3, cl 18 on 1.12.2025)

Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022 No 73 (not commenced)

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024 No 85, Sch 1[2] [7]–[12] [14], to the extent it inserts secs 23E–23I and Div 3, [15]–[17] [19] and [23] (not commenced—Sch 1[2] [7]–[12] [14], to the extent it inserts secs 23E–23I and Div 3, [15]–[17] and [23] to commence on 1.12.2025; Sch 1[19] to commence on 1.12.2029)

See also—

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Battery Cage Prohibition) Bill 2023 [Non-government Bill— the Hon Emma Hurst, MLC]

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Gassing Devices Prohibition) Bill 2023 [Non-government Bill— the Hon Emma Hurst, MLC]

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024 [Non-government Bill— Mr Philip Donato, MP]

Crimes Amendment (Animal Sexual Abuse) Bill 2024 [Non-government Bill— the Hon Emma Hurst, MLC]

whole Act: Am 2015 No 15, Sch 1.20 [1] (“Director-General” omitted wherever occurring,“Secretary” inserted instead).

An Act for the prevention of cruelty to animals and for the promotion of their welfare.

long title: Am 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [1].

Part 1Preliminary1Name of Act

This Act may be cited as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

2Commencement(1)

This section and section 1 shall commence on the date of assent to this Act.

(2)

Except as provided in subsection (1), this Act shall commence on such day as may be appointed by the Governor in respect thereof and as may be notified by proclamation published in the Gazette.

3Objects of Act

The objects of this Act are—

  • (a)

    to prevent cruelty to animals, and

  • (b)

    to promote the welfare of animals by requiring a person in charge of an animal—

    • (i)

      to provide care for the animal, and

    • (ii)

      to treat the animal in a humane manner, and

    • (iii)

      to ensure the welfare of the animal, and

  • (c)

    to promote the welfare of dogs and cats by requiring information about them to be provided when they are advertised for sale.

s 3: Rep GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008. Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [1]. Am 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [2].

4Definitions(1)

In this Act, except in so far as the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires—

adult dog means a dog that is more than 6 months of age, but does not include a racing greyhound.

animal means—

  • (a)

    a member of a vertebrate species including any—

    • (i)

      amphibian, or

    • (ii)

      bird, or

    • (iii)

      fish, or

    • (iv)

      mammal (other than a human being), or

    • (v)

      reptile, or

  • (b)

    a crustacean but only when at a building or place (such as a restaurant) where food is prepared or offered for consumption by retail sale in the building or place.

animal cruelty offence means—

  • (a)

    an offence under this Act or the regulations in relation to an animal, or

  • (b)

    an offence against section 79, 80, 530 or 531 of the Crimes Act 1900.

animal trade means a trade, business or profession in the course of which any animal is kept or used for a purpose prescribed for the purposes of this definition.

appointed inspector means an officer appointed as an inspector under section 24AA(2).

appointed officer—see section 24AA(1).

approved charitable organisation means a charitable organisation for the time being approved by the Minister in accordance with section 34B.

authorise includes direct and permit.

BIN means a breeder identification number allocated under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

bull includes ox, bullock, steer, cow, heifer and calf.

bull-fight includes any exhibition, spectacle or display (whether or not conducted for the purpose of gain) in which a person—

  • (a)

    commits an act of cruelty upon a bull,

  • (b)

    teases a bull, or does any other thing in relation to a bull, in a manner that is likely to cause the bull to fight or to suffer pain or injury, or

  • (c)

    attempts to do any of the things mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b),

whether or not for the purpose of causing the bull to fight.

cage includes a pit, pen, kennel, hutch and any other similar receptacle.

cat means an animal which is a member of the family Felidae.

charitable organisation means—

  • (a)

    the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New South Wales, and

  • (b)

    any other organisation or association which has as one of its objects the promotion of the welfare of, or the prevention of cruelty to, animals, or any class of animals, and which is a non-profit organisation having as one of its objects a charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or patriotic purpose.

confine, in relation to an animal, includes—

  • (a)

    keep the animal in captivity by means of a cage or by any other means,

  • (b)

    pinion, mutilate or maim the animal for the purpose of hindering, impeding or preventing the freedom of movement of the animal,

  • (c)

    subject the animal to a device or contrivance for the purpose of hindering, impeding or preventing the freedom of movement of the animal, and

  • (d)

    tether the animal by means of a rope, chain or cord or by any other means.

Department means Regional NSW.

dog includes a bitch and a puppy.

dog premises—see section 4A.

domestic animal means an animal which is tame or which has been, or is being, sufficiently tamed to serve some purpose for the use of human beings, or which, although it neither has been nor is being nor is intended to be so tamed, is or has become in fact wholly or partly tame.

function includes a power, authority or duty, and exercise a function includes perform a duty.

greyhound racing has the same meaning as in the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.

greyhound racing industry participant means a greyhound racing industry participant, within the meaning of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017, who is registered under that Act.

horse includes a stallion, gelding, mare, colt, filly, foal, pony, mule, donkey, ass and jenny.

occupier, of premises, means a person who manages or controls the premises.

officer means the following—

  • (a)

    a member of the police force or an inspector within the meaning of the Animal Research Act 1985,

  • (b)

    an appointed officer,

  • (b1)

    an inspector within the meaning of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.

  • (c)

    (Repealed)

owner includes a joint owner.

pain includes suffering and distress.

person in charge, in relation to an animal, includes—

  • (a)

    the owner of the animal,

  • (b)

    a person who has the animal in the person’s possession or custody, or under the person’s care, control or supervision,

  • (c)

    where a person referred to in paragraph (b) is bound to comply with the directions, in respect of the animal, of any servant or agent of the owner of the animal, that servant or agent, as the case may be, and

  • (d)

    where the animal, being a stock animal, is confined in a sale-yard—

    • (i)

      the owner of the sale-yard, or

    • (ii)

      where the sale-yard is the subject of a lease, the lessee of the sale-yard.

pinion, in relation to an animal, means cut off the pinion of a wing of a bird or otherwise disable the wing or wings of a bird.

premises means any place which is not a public place.

public place means any place, including any road, to which the public has its own right to resort.

racing greyhound means a greyhound owned or kept—

  • (a)

    in connection with greyhound racing, or

  • (b)

    by a greyhound racing industry participant.

regulation means a regulation made under this Act.

rehoming organisation has the same meaning as in the Companion Animals Act 1998.

RON means a rehoming organisation number allocated under the Companion Animals Act 1998.

sale-yard means any premises or public place used or established for use wholly or partly for the sale of stock animals.

Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.

serious interstate animal offence means an offence against the following legislation—

  • (a)

    the Crimes Act 1900 of the Australian Capital Territory, section 63A,

  • (b)

    the Criminal Code Act 1983 of the Northern Territory, section 138,

  • (c)

    the Criminal Code Act 1899 of Queensland, Schedule 1, section 211 or 242,

  • (d)

    the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 of South Australia, section 69,

  • (e)

    the Criminal Code Act 1924 of Tasmania, section 122,

  • (f)

    the Crimes Act 1958 of Victoria, section 54A,

  • (g)

    the Criminal Code Act Compilation Act 1913 of Western Australia, section 181.

staff member, in relation to dog premises, means a person who is over 14 years of age and is involved in breeding, or providing care, food or water to, dogs at the dog premises, including the following persons, regardless of whether the persons work on a full-time basis or not—

  • (a)

    an employee of the dog premises,

  • (b)

    a volunteer at the dog premises,

  • (c)

    an owner or occupier of the dog premises,

  • (d)

    a family member of the owner or occupier.

stock animal means an animal which belongs to the class of animals comprising cattle, horses, sheep, goats, deer, pigs, poultry and any other species of animal prescribed for the purposes of this definition.

veterinary practitioner has the same meaning as in the Veterinary Practice Act 2003.

veterinary treatment, in relation to an animal, means—

  • (a)

    medical treatment of a prophylactic or therapeutic nature carried out upon the animal by, or in accordance with directions given in respect of the animal by, a veterinary practitioner, or

  • (b)

    surgical treatment of a prophylactic or therapeutic nature, or sterilisation, carried out upon the animal by a veterinary practitioner, or

  • (c)

    a veterinary diagnostic procedure carried out on the animal by a veterinary practitioner, or

  • (d)

    a veterinary consultation undertaken in respect of the animal by a veterinary practitioner.

working dog has the same meaning as in the Companion Animals Act 1998.

Note—

The Interpretation Act 1987 contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.

(2)

For the purposes of this Act, a reference to an act of cruelty committed upon an animal includes a reference to any act or omission as a consequence of which the animal is unreasonably, unnecessarily or unjustifiably—

  • (a)

    beaten, kicked, killed, wounded, pinioned, mutilated, maimed, abused, tormented, tortured, terrified or infuriated,

  • (b)

    over-loaded, over-worked, over-driven, over-ridden or over-used,

  • (c)

    exposed to excessive heat or excessive cold, or

  • (d)

    inflicted with pain.

(2A)

For the purposes of subsection (2) (a), the pinioning of a bird is not an act of cruelty if it is carried out in the manner prescribed by the regulations.

(3)

For the purposes of this Act, a person commits an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal if the person commits an act of cruelty upon the animal or (being the person in charge of the animal) contravenes section 5 (3) in a way which results in—

  • (a)

    the death, deformity or serious disablement of the animal, or

  • (b)

    the animal being so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive.

(4)

Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

s 4: Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (1); 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (1); GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (1); 1988 No 20, Sch 15 (1); 1991 No 69, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [2]–[5]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [1]–[3]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [1]–[4]; 2007 No 94, Sch 2; 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [1] [2]; 2011 No 62, Sch 2.25; 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [1]; 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [1]; 2015 No 15, Sch 1.20 [2]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [1] [2]; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [1]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [3]; 2020 No 30, Sch 3.32; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[1] [2]; 2022 No 69, Sch 1[1] [2]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[1] [2]; 2024 No 85, Sch 1[1] [3] [4].

4AMeaning of “dog premises”(1)

In this Act, dog premises means premises, including residential premises and commercial premises, used or intended to be used for the accommodation, shelter or care of dogs.

(2)

A reference to premises in subsection (1) includes a reference to the following—

  • (a)

    a vehicle,

  • (b)

    an aircraft,

  • (c)

    a vessel,

  • (d)

    a trailer or caravan, whether or not attached to another vehicle.

(3)

Anything referred to in subsection (2)(a)–(d) that is on or adjacent to dog premises is taken to be part of the dog premises.

s 4A: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[5].

Part 2OffencesNote—

Section 9 (1) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 makes it an offence for a person to do a restricted act of veterinary science except in certain circumstances. Restricted act of veterinary science is defined in section 7 of that Act.

pt 2, note: Ins 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [4].

5Cruelty to animals(1)

A person shall not commit an act of cruelty upon an animal.

(2)

A person in charge of an animal shall not authorise the commission of an act of cruelty upon the animal.

(3)

A person in charge of an animal shall not fail at any time—

  • (a)

    to exercise reasonable care, control or supervision of an animal to prevent the commission of an act of cruelty upon the animal,

  • (b)

    where pain is being inflicted upon the animal, to take such reasonable steps as are necessary to alleviate the pain, or

  • (c)

    where it is necessary for the animal to be provided with veterinary treatment, whether or not over a period of time, to provide it with that treatment.

Maximum penalty—

  • (a)

    for a corporation—2,000 penalty units, or

  • (b)

    for an individual—400 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year, or both.

s 5: Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (2). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[3].

6Aggravated cruelty to animals(1)

A person shall not commit an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal.

Maximum penalty—

  • (a)

    for a corporation—5,000 penalty units, or

  • (b)

    for an individual—1,000 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.

(2)

In any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), the court may—

  • (a)

    where it is not satisfied that the person accused of the offence is guilty of the offence, and

  • (b)

    where it is satisfied that that person is guilty of an offence against section 5 (1),

convict that person of an offence against section 5 (1).

s 6: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (1); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [7]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [1]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[4].

7Carriage and conveyance of animals(1)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    carry or convey an animal, or

  • (b)

    where the person is a person in charge of an animal—authorise the carriage or conveyance of the animal,

in a manner which unreasonably, unnecessarily or unjustifiably inflicts pain upon the animal.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), a person shall not—

  • (a)

    carry or convey a horse on a multi-deck vehicle, or

  • (b)

    where the person is a person in charge of the horse—authorise the carriage or conveyance of a horse on a multi-deck vehicle.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2A)

Without limiting subsection (1), a person must not carry or convey a dog (other than a dog being used to work livestock), on the open back of a moving vehicle on a public street unless the dog is restrained or enclosed in such a way as to prevent the dog falling from the vehicle.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.

(3)

In this section—

multi-deck vehicle means a motor vehicle or a trailer drawn by a motor vehicle that—

  • (a)

    is used to carry or convey animals, and

  • (b)

    on which animals are carried or conveyed in two or more layered sections.

s 7: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (3); 1988 No 92, Sch 17 (1); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [8].

8Animals to be provided with food, drink or shelter(1)

A person in charge of an animal shall not fail to provide the animal with food, drink or shelter, or any of them, which, in each case, is proper and sufficient and which it is reasonably practicable in the circumstances for the person to provide.

Maximum penalty—

  • (a)

    for a corporation—750 penalty units, or

  • (b)

    for an individual—150 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.

(2)

In any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), evidence that an animal was not provided with clean water during a period of 24 hours is evidence that the person accused of the offence has failed to provide the animal with proper and sufficient drink during that period.

(3)

In any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), evidence that an animal was not provided with food or shelter during a period of 24 hours (or, in the case of an animal of a class prescribed by the regulations, during the period prescribed for that class of animal) is evidence that the person accused of the offence has failed to provide the animal with proper and sufficient food or shelter during that period.

(4)

Before commencing proceedings for an offence against subsection (1) in respect of a stock animal depastured on rateable land (within the meaning of the Local Land Services Act 2013), the prosecution must obtain advice from Local Land Services about the state of the animal (if practicable) and the appropriate care for it.

(5)

The prosecution may, with leave of the court granted in such circumstances as the court considers just, commence or continue proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), despite having failed to comply with subsection (4).

s 8: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [9]–[12]; 2001 No 112, Sch 2.28; 2008 No 112, Sch 6.24; 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [3]; 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [1]; 2020 No 30, Sch 1.33[1]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[5].

9Confined animals to be exercised(1)

A person in charge of an animal which is confined shall not fail to provide the animal with adequate exercise.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(1A)

Subsection (1) does not apply to a person in charge of an animal if the animal is—

  • (a)

    a stock animal other than a horse, or

  • (b)

    an animal of a species which is usually kept in captivity by means of a cage.

(2)

In any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), evidence that an animal referred to in that subsection was not released from confinement during a period of 24 hours is evidence that the person accused of the offence has failed to provide the animal with adequate exercise during that period.

(3)

A person in charge of an animal (other than a stock animal) shall not confine the animal in a cage of which the height, length or breadth is insufficient to allow the animal a reasonable opportunity for adequate exercise.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation or 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(4)

In any proceedings for an offence against subsection (3) in respect of an animal, the person accused of the offence is not guilty of the offence if the person satisfies the court that the person confined the animal—

  • (a)

    for the purpose of—

    • (i)

      carrying or conveying the animal, or

    • (ii)

      displaying the animal in a public exhibition or public competition,

    in a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain upon the animal, and

  • (b)

    for a period not exceeding 24 hours.

s 9: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [13]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].

10Tethering of animals(1)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    tether an animal, or

  • (b)

    where the person is a person in charge of an animal—authorise the tethering of the animal,

for an unreasonable length of time or by means of an unreasonably heavy, or unreasonably short, tether.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

A person must not tether a sow in a piggery.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation or 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(3)

A person must not confine a bird by means of a tether.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(4)

It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) if the defendant satisfies the court that the bird to which the offence relates was a raptor and that the tether involved was a jess that was used solely to tether the bird to its handler.

s 10: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (2); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [14]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [5] [6]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].

11Animals not to be abandoned

A person shall not abandon an animal.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 11: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (3); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

12Certain procedures not to be performed on animals(1)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    dock the tail of a horse, bull, ox, bullock, steer, cow, heifer, calf or dog,

  • (b)

    crop the ears of a dog,

  • (c)

    operate upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark,

  • (d)

    remove one or more of the claws of a cat,

  • (e)

    grind, trim or clip one or more teeth of a sheep,

  • (f)

    perform a clitoridectomy on a greyhound, or

  • (g)

    fire or hot iron brand the face of an animal.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

A person is not guilty of an offence against this section if the court is satisfied that the procedure comprising the alleged offence—

  • (a)

    was docking the tail of a calf less than 6 months old when the offence was alleged to have been committed, or

  • (a1)

    (Repealed)

  • (b)

    was—

    • (i)

      docking the tail of a cow, heifer or female calf,

    • (ii)

      operating upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark,

    • (iii)

      removing one or more of the claws of a cat,

    • (iv)

      grinding, trimming or clipping one or more teeth of a sheep,

    • (v)

      performing a clitoridectomy on a greyhound, or

    • (vi)

      firing or hot iron branding the face of an animal,

    by a veterinary practitioner,

and the procedure was performed in the prescribed circumstances and in accordance with any conditions specified in the regulations.

(2A)

A person is not guilty of an offence against this section if the court is satisfied that the procedure comprising the alleged offence was the docking of the tail of a dog, was performed by a veterinary practitioner and was in the interests of the dog’s welfare.

(3)

In this section—

clip the tooth of a sheep means breaking off the crown of a tooth with pliers or another tool or implement.

dock the tail of an animal means to remove all or part of the tail of the animal (other than a part of the tail consisting only of fur, hair, feathers or the like) whether by surgical or other means.

grind the tooth of a sheep means grinding down a tooth with an electric angle grinder or another tool or implement.

trim the tooth of a sheep means cutting off a tooth with an abrasive disc or another tool or implement.

s 12: Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (6), 2 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [15]–[22]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [1]–[3]; 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73; 2007 No 27, Sch 1.43.

12ARegisters relating to certain procedures(1)

A veterinary practitioner who carries out a procedure referred to in section 12 (1) shall, not later than 7 days after carrying out the procedure, enter the prescribed particulars of the procedure in a register kept in the prescribed form by the veterinary practitioner or the employer of the veterinary practitioner.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(2)

A register containing the prescribed particulars of a procedure shall be kept by—

  • (a)

    the veterinary practitioner or former veterinary practitioner who carried out the procedure, or

  • (b)

    if the veterinary practitioner who carried out the procedure did so in the course of employment by another person, by that employer or former employer,

for a period of not less than 2 years after the procedure is carried out.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(3)

A person shall, at the request of an officer, make available for inspection by the officer any register required to be kept by the person under this section.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(4)

Nothing in subsection (3) limits the powers of an officer under section 24G.

s 12A: Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (7). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [23]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [7].

13Certain animals not to be ridden etc

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    ride, drive, use, carry or convey an animal, or

  • (b)

    where the person is a person in charge of an animal—authorise the riding, driving, using, carrying or conveying of the animal,

if the animal is unfit for the purpose of its being so ridden, driven, used, carried or conveyed.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 13: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

14Injuries to animals to be reported

The driver of a vehicle which strikes and injures an animal (other than a bird) shall not fail—

  • (a)

    where, in consequence of the injury, pain has been inflicted upon the animal—to take reasonable steps to alleviate the pain, and

  • (b)

    where that driver believes, or ought reasonably to believe, that the animal is a domestic animal—to inform, as soon as practicable, an officer or a person in charge of the animal that the animal has been injured.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.

s 14: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (6); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [24].

15Poisons not to be administered to animals(1)

In this section, poison includes—

  • (a)

    a substance included in the list, as in force for the time being, proclaimed under section 8 of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (or a substance that includes such a substance), or

  • (b)

    a substance containing glass or any other thing likely to kill or injure an animal.

(2)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    administer a poison, or a substance containing a poison, to a domestic animal,

  • (b)

    with the intention of destroying or injuring a domestic animal, throw, cast, drop, leave or lay a poison, or a substance containing a poison, in any place, or

  • (c)

    have in his or her possession a poison with the intention of using it to kill or injure a domestic animal.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 15: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (7); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [25]–[28]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [2].

16Certain electrical devices not to be used upon animals(1)

In this section—

electrical device means a device of a type prescribed by the regulations.

sell includes—

  • (a)

    auction or exchange,

  • (b)

    offer, expose, supply or receive for sale, and

  • (c)

    send, forward or deliver for sale or on sale.

(2)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    use an electrical device upon an animal,

  • (b)

    sell any electrical device, or

  • (c)

    have in his or her possession or custody any electrical device.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(3)

Nothing in subsection (2) prevents a person from—

  • (a)

    using an electrical device upon an animal belonging to a prescribed species, or

  • (b)

    selling or having in his or her possession or custody an electrical device for use upon an animal belonging to a prescribed species.

s 16: Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (8). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [29] [30].

17Certain spurs etc or implements designed for fighting not to be kept

A person shall not have in his or her possession or custody—

  • (a)

    any spur, or any other similar appliance, which has sharpened rowels, or

  • (b)

    any article, implement or other thing made or adapted, or intended by the person to be used, for attachment to an animal for the purpose of—

    • (i)

      training the animal to fight another animal, or

    • (ii)

      increasing the ability of the animal to inflict injury on another animal during fighting.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 17: Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (9), 2 (8). Subst 1988 No 92, Sch 17 (2). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

18Animal baiting and fighting prohibited(1)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    use any place, or manage or control any place which is used,

  • (b)

    authorise any place to be used, or

  • (c)

    receive money for the admission of another person to any place which is used,

for the purpose of conducting a bull-fight, baiting an animal or causing an animal to fight.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

A person must not—

  • (a)

    cause, procure, permit, encourage or incite a fight in which one or more animals are pitted against another animal or animals, whether of the same species or not, or

  • (b)

    advertise the intention to conduct such a fight, or

  • (c)

    promote, organise or attend such a fight.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation or 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(3)

In any proceedings under subsection (2), evidence that the defendant was present at a place at which a fight of the kind referred to in that subsection was being conducted is prima facie evidence that the defendant attended the fight.

s 18: Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (2). Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (10). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [31].

18ABull-fighting prohibited

A person shall not advertise, promote or take part in a bull-fight.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 18A: Ins 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (3). Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (9); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

19Trap-shooting prohibited

A person shall not advertise, promote or take part in a match, competition or other activity in which an animal is released from confinement for the purpose of that person, or any other person, shooting at it.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 19: Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (10); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

19AGame parks prohibited(1)

In this section—

animal does not include a bird, reptile, amphibian or fish.

game park means premises within the boundaries of which—

  • (a)

    animals are confined, and

  • (b)

    the taking or killing of those animals as a sport or recreation is permitted by virtue of the payment of an admission fee or the giving of other consideration.

take, in relation to any animal, includes hunt, shoot, poison, net, snare, spear, pursue, capture and injure the animal.

(2)

A person shall not—

  • (a)

    use any premises, or manage or control any premises which are used,

  • (b)

    authorise any premises to be used, or

  • (c)

    receive money or any other consideration for the admission of another person to any premises which are used,

for the purposes of a game park.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(3)

A person admitted to a game park by virtue of the payment of an admission fee or the giving of other consideration shall not take or kill any animal in the game park.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(4)

Nothing in this section applies to—

  • (a)

    such animals, or

  • (b)

    the taking or killing of animals in such circumstances by such persons or in or on such premises,

as may be prescribed for the purposes of this section.

s 19A: Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (11). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

20Certain animal-catching activities prohibited

A person shall not advertise, promote or take part in a match, competition or other activity in which an animal is released from confinement for the purpose of that person, or any other person, chasing, catching or confining it.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 20: Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (11); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [32].

21Live baiting, coursing and other similar activities prohibited(1)

A person who—

  • (a)

    causes, procures, permits or encourages an activity in which an animal is released from confinement for the purpose of its being chased, caught or confined by a dog, or

  • (b)

    advertises the intention to conduct such an activity, or

  • (c)

    promotes, organises or attends such an activity, or

  • (d)

    uses an animal as a lure or kill for the purpose of blooding greyhounds or in connection with the trialing, training or racing of any coursing dog, or

  • (e)

    keeps or is in charge of an animal for use as a lure or kill for the purpose of blooding greyhounds or in connection with the trialing, training or racing of any coursing dog,

is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—1,000 penalty units in the case of a corporation or 200 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

In any proceedings under subsection (1), evidence in writing by a veterinary practitioner that an animal was alive at the time of its attack by a dog is prima facie evidence that the animal was alive at the time of that attack.

(2A)

In any proceedings under subsection (1) (c), evidence that the defendant was present at a place at which an activity of the kind referred to in that subsection was being conducted is prima facie evidence that the defendant attended the activity.

(2B)

In any proceedings under subsection (1) (d), evidence that the defendant was in charge or in possession of an animal that appeared to have been used as a lure or kill in the manner referred to in that subsection is prima facie evidence that the defendant used the animal as a lure or kill in that manner.

(2C)

In any proceedings under subsection (1) (e), evidence that the defendant was in charge of an animal of a species prescribed by the regulations at a place used for the trialing, training or racing of any coursing dog is prima facie evidence that the defendant kept or was in charge of an animal for use as a lure or kill for the purpose referred to in that subsection.

(2D)

For the purposes of subsections (1) (d) and (2B), animal includes the carcass, or the skin or any other part, of an animal.

(3)

It is a defence to any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1) if the defendant shows that the act constituting the alleged offence was done by the defendant in the course of, and for the purpose of—

  • (a)

    mustering stock, the working of stock in yards or any other animal husbandry activity, or

  • (b)

    sheep dog trials.

(4)

Section 23B(1)(b)(i), in its application to this section, includes hunting, shooting, snaring, trapping, catching or capturing an animal by using a dog, but only in a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain on the animal.

s 21: Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (12); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [33]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [3]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [8] [9]; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [2] [3]; 2024 No 85, Sch 1[6].

21AFiring prohibited

A person who applies a thermal stimulus (such as hot wires) to the leg of an animal with the intention of causing tissue damage and the development of scar tissue around tendons and ligaments of the leg is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 21A: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [34].

21BTail nicking prohibited

A person who cuts the tail of a horse with the intention of causing the horse to carry the tail high is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 21B: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35].

21CSteeplechasing and hurdle racing prohibited

A person who organises or participates in a steeplechase or hurdle race is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation or 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 21C: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35].

21D

(Repealed)

s 21D: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [10].

22Severely injured animals not to be sold(1)

Subject to subsection (2), a person shall not purchase, acquire, keep or sell, or offer or expose for sale, an animal which is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a condition that it is cruel to keep it alive.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

In any proceedings for an offence against subsection (1), the person accused of the offence is not guilty of the offence if the person satisfies the court that the person purchased, acquired, kept or sold, or offered or exposed for sale, the animal referred to in that subsection for the purpose of causing it to be promptly destroyed.

(3)

Where a person purchases or acquires an animal for the purpose of causing the animal to be promptly destroyed, the person shall cause it to be promptly destroyed in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary pain.

Maximum penalty (subsection (3)): 250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

s 22: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (13); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [36]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].

23Certain traps not to be set(1)

A person shall not, in a prescribed part of New South Wales, set a trap of a prescribed type.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2)

A person must not—

  • (a)

    in any part of New South Wales, set a steel-jawed trap, or

  • (b)

    possess a steel-jawed trap with the intention of using it to trap an animal.

Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(3)

In this section—

steel-jawed trap means a trap that has jaws that are made of steel, iron or other metal and that are designed to spring together and trap an animal when a leg or other part of the animal’s body comes into contact with, or is placed between, the jaws, but does not include a soft-jawed trap (that is, a trap with steel jaws that are offset and padded).

s 23: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (14); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [37].

23AInformation required when dogs or cats are advertised for sale or for giving away(1)

A person must not advertise a regulated dog or cat as being available for sale, to be given away, or to be transferred by any other means, unless the advertisement includes at least one of the following—

  • (a)

    the microchip identification number allocated to the microchip implanted in the animal—

    • (i)

      in connection with the identification of the animal for the purposes of section 8 of the Companion Animals Act 1998, or

    • (ii)

      in compliance with the greyhound racing rules,

  • (b)

    the breeder identification number of the person, that is, the number allocated to the person—

    • (i)

      under section 83M of the Companion Animals Act 1998, or

    • (ii)

      by any recognised breeders’ organisation (within the meaning of Part 9 of the Companion Animals Act 1998) of which the person is a member, or

    • (iii)

      at the time of registration under the greyhound racing rules of the animal from whose litter the greyhound being advertised was born,

  • (c)

    in the case where the dog or cat is being sold or given away by an organisation that is, at the time the advertisement is made, a rehoming organisation (within the meaning of the Companion Animals Act 1998)—the rehoming organisation number allocated to the organisation under section 83N of that Act.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

Note—

In order to comply with the requirements of this section, a person who advertises a companion animal must either obtain a breeder identification number or a rehoming organisation number, or have the animal microchipped (in which case the advertisement may include the microchip number). In the case of a companion animal that has not been born yet, the owner must have a breeder identification number or a rehoming organisation number.

(2)

A person who, when advertising a regulated dog or cat for sale, or when doing something in relation to that advertising, gives a microchip identification number, breeder identification number or rehoming organisation number that the person knows, or ought reasonably to have known, is false is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.

(3)

A person is not liable to be convicted in respect of the same act or omission of both an offence under this section and an offence under section 52A (1) or 57A (1) of the Companion Animals Act 1998.

Note—

Sections 52A (1) and 57A (1) of the Companion Animals Act 1998 make it an offence to sell or advertise the sale of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog or a dog that is proposed to be a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog.

(4)

In this section—

greyhound racing rules means the racing rules—

  • (a)

    made by Greyhound Racing New South Wales under the Greyhound Racing Act 2009 and in force before the repeal of that Act, or

  • (b)

    made by the Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.

regulated dog or cat means any of the following—

  • (a)

    a dog or cat that is or will be required by the Companion Animals Act 1998 to be identified (including by being microchipped), including a dog or cat that has not been born or has not yet reached the age at which identification is required,

  • (b)

    a greyhound (whether or not it is registered in accordance with the greyhound racing rules), including a greyhound that has not been born,

  • (c)

    a dog or cat that is in the custody of a council (including a council pound),

  • (d)

    a dog or cat that is in the custody of the Animal Welfare League NSW,

  • (e)

    a dog or cat that is in the custody of The Cat Protection Society of NSW Inc,

  • (f)

    a dog or cat that is in the custody of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; New South Wales.

s 23A: Ins 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [4].

23BCertain defences(1)

In any proceedings for an offence against this Part or the regulations in respect of an animal, the person accused of the offence is not guilty of the offence if the person satisfies the court that the act or omission in respect of which the proceedings are being taken was done, authorised to be done or omitted to be done by that person—

  • (a)

    where, at the time when the offence is alleged to have been committed, the animal was—

    • (i)

      a stock animal—in the course of, and for the purpose of, ear-marking or ear-tagging the animal or branding, other than firing or hot iron branding of the face of, the animal,

    • (ii)

      a pig of less than 2 months of age or a stock animal of less than 6 months of age which belongs to a class of animals comprising cattle, sheep or goats—in the course of, and for the purpose of, castrating the animal,

    • (iii)

      a goat of less than 1 month of age or a stock animal of less than 12 months of age which belongs to the class of animal comprising cattle—in the course of, and for the purpose of, dehorning the animal,

    • (iv)

      a sheep of less than 6 months of age—in the course of, and for the purpose of, tailing the animal, or

    • (v)

      a sheep of less than 12 months of age—in the course of, and for the purpose of, performing the Mules operation upon the animal,

    in a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain upon the animal,

  • (b)

    in the course of, and for the purpose of—

    • (i)

      hunting, shooting, snaring, trapping, catching or capturing the animal, or

    • (ii)

      destroying the animal, or preparing the animal for destruction, for the purpose of producing food for human consumption,

    in a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain upon the animal,

  • (c)

    in the course of, and for the purpose of, destroying the animal, or preparing the animal for destruction—

    • (i)

      in accordance with the precepts of the Jewish religion or of any other religion prescribed for the purposes of this subparagraph, or

    • (ii)

      in compliance with any duty imposed upon that person by or under this or any other Act,

  • (d)

    (Repealed)

  • (e)

    in the course of, and for the purpose of—

    • (i)

      carrying out animal research, or

    • (ii)

      supplying animals for use in connection with animal research,

    in accordance with the provisions of the Animal Research Act 1985, or

  • (f)

    for the purpose of feeding a predatory animal lawfully kept by the person if—

    • (i)

      the act concerned was the release of live prey for the predatory animal, and

    • (ii)

      the diet of the predatory animal included animals of the kind released, and

    • (iii)

      the person believed on reasonable grounds that the feeding of live prey to the predatory animal was necessary for the predatory animal’s survival because the predatory animal would not eat a dead animal or meat from a dead animal.

(2)

Subsection (1) (b) does not apply to a person accused of an offence against section 19A.

(3)

(Repealed)

s 23B (previously s 24): Renumbered 2024 No 85, Sch 1[13].

Part 2AADogs

pt 2AA: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Division 1Preliminary

pt 2AA, div 1: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23CDefinitions

In this part—

dog does not include a racing greyhound.

exempt working dog means an adult dog—

  • (a)

    that is a working dog, and

  • (b)

    that is ordinarily kept on land—

    • (i)

      in a part of the Western Division that is not within a local government area, or

    • (ii)

      categorised as farmland for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1993, Chapter 15, Part 3, and

  • (c)

    if the dog becomes pregnant—whose offspring born from the pregnancy are intended to be working dogs that will ordinarily be kept on—

    • (i)

      the land on which the offspring were born, or

    • (ii)

      land owned or occupied by the person in charge of the adult dog when the offspring were born.

Western Division has the same meaning as in the Crown Land Management Act 2016.

s 23C: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Division 2Dog breeding

pt 2AA, div 2: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23DMaximum number of female adult dogs(1)

An occupier of dog premises must not keep more than 20 female adult dogs on the premises.

Maximum penalty—

  • (a)

    for a corporation—5,000 penalty units, or

  • (b)

    for an individual—1,000 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.

(2)

This section does not apply to the following—

  • (a)

    an approved charitable organisation to the extent the organisation is exercising the organisation’s functions under this Act,

  • (b)

    a rehoming organisation that has been allocated a RON, unless—

    • (i)

      the organisation has been allocated a BIN, or

    • (ii)

      the organisation is required to have a BIN allocated,

  • (c)

    premises used to temporarily keep or care for dogs if no dogs are bred on the premises,

  • (d)

    a government sector agency within the meaning of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013,

  • (e)

    a dog kept for the purposes of breeding an assistance animal within the meaning of the Companion Animals Act 1998, if the occupier of the dog premises is—

    • (i)

      a member of the International Guide Dog Federation, or

    • (ii)

      an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International,

  • (f)

    a dog that has been rendered permanently infertile.

(3)

In this section—

temporarily keep or care, in relation to a dog, does not include keeping or caring for a dog in relation to dog breeding.

s 23D: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Division 4Exemption to maximum number of female adult dogs

pt 2AA, div 4: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23MDefinitions

In this division—

applicant—see section 23N(1).

Departmental Chief Executive has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 1993.

determination date means 24 October 2024.

exemption means an exemption granted under this division and in force.

female adult dog does not include the following—

  • (a)

    a dog kept for the purposes of breeding an assistance animal within the meaning of the Companion Animals Act 1998, if the occupier of the relevant dog premises is—

    • (i)

      a member of the International Guide Dog Federation, or

    • (ii)

      an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International,

  • (b)

    a dog that has been rendered permanently infertile.

relevant person, for dog premises, means—

  • (a)

    a staff member of a business operating on the dog premises, or

  • (b)

    a person involved in the management or control of a business on the dog premises.

s 23M: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23NApplication for exemption(1)

A person (the applicant) may apply to the Departmental Chief Executive for an exemption from section 23D in relation to dog premises if—

  • (a)

    the applicant is the occupier of the dog premises, and

  • (b)

    the applicant kept more than 20 female adult dogs on the dog premises on the determination date.

(2)

The application must—

  • (a)

    specify the dog premises to which the application relates, and

  • (b)

    specify the maximum number of female adult dogs that will be kept on the dog premises, and

  • (c)

    be made in the form approved by the Departmental Chief Executive, and

  • (d)

    be accompanied by the prescribed application fee, and

  • (e)

    include or be accompanied by the information or evidence the Departmental Chief Executive reasonably requires to assess the application.

(3)

The regulations may make provision in relation to an application under this section, including by prescribing—

  • (a)

    the information or evidence that must be included in or accompany an application, and

  • (b)

    the form of the application.

s 23N: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23ORefusal to grant exemption(1)

The Departmental Chief Executive must, if an applicant or a relevant person in relation to dog premises has been convicted of an animal cruelty offence—

  • (a)

    refuse to grant an exemption in relation to the dog premises, and

  • (b)

    give the applicant written notice of the refusal.

(2)

The Departmental Chief Executive may refuse to grant an exemption if the Departmental Chief Executive—

  • (a)

    suspects the application is false or misleading, and

  • (b)

    gives written notice to the applicant of the proposed refusal, and

  • (c)

    gives the applicant reasonable time to make submissions, and

  • (d)

    considers submissions made within the reasonable time, and

  • (e)

    reasonably concludes that the application was false or misleading.

s 23O: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23PGranting exemption(1)

The Departmental Chief Executive may grant an exemption to an applicant in relation to the dog premises specified in the application.

(2)

If the exemption is granted, the Departmental Chief Executive must give the applicant written notice of—

  • (a)

    the outcome of the application, and

  • (b)

    the maximum number of female adult dogs allowed on the dog premises, and

  • (c)

    the conditions to which the exemption is subject.

(3)

The maximum number of female adult dogs allowed on the dog premises is the number of female adult dogs—

  • (a)

    on the dog premises on the determination date, or

  • (b)

    otherwise—nominated by the Departmental Chief Executive.

s 23P: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23QExemption conditions(1)

An exemption for dog premises is subject to the following conditions—

  • (a)

    the exemption holder must not allow a person who the exemption holder, after having made reasonable inquiries, knows, or ought to have known, has been convicted of an animal cruelty offence to be a relevant person for the dog premises,

  • (b)

    if the exemption holder or a relevant person for the dog premises is convicted of an animal cruelty offence—the exemption holder must, within 28 days, give the Departmental Chief Executive written notice of the conviction,

  • (c)

    the exemption holder must permit an audit and inspection of the dog premises to be conducted—

    • (i)

      in accordance with the regulations, and

    • (ii)

      at least once every 2 years,

  • (d)

    the exemption holder must give the Departmental Chief Executive a report—

    • (i)

      in the way approved by the Departmental Chief Executive, and

    • (ii)

      by 31 January following the end of the reporting period for each year of the term of the exemption, and

    • (iii)

      that includes the matters prescribed by the regulations, and

    • (iv)

      that includes other matters required by the Departmental Chief Executive and published in the Gazette,

  • (e)

    the exemption holder must not keep more female adult dogs on the dog premises than the number specified in the notice under section 23P(2)(b),

  • (f)

    if the exemption holder keeps 50 or more female adult dogs on the dog premises—the exemption holder must ensure no more than 50 female adult dogs are kept on the dog premises on or after 1 December 2026,

  • (g)

    the exemption holder must comply with—

    • (i)

      a code of practice prescribed by the regulations, or

    • (ii)

      if the dog premises are under construction and no dogs are currently kept on the dog premises—the relevant provisions of a prescribed code of practice,

  • (h)

    other conditions the Departmental Chief Executive considers appropriate.

(2)

In this section—

reporting period means the 12-month period ending on 30 November in each year.

s 23Q: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23RExpiration of exemption

An exemption granted under this division expires on 1 December 2035, unless cancelled before that date.

s 23R: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23SCancellation of exemption(1)

The Departmental Chief Executive must—

  • (a)

    cancel an exemption if—

    • (i)

      the Departmental Chief Executive becomes aware that the exemption holder has been convicted of an animal cruelty offence, or

    • (ii)

      the exemption holder requests the cancellation, and

  • (b)

    give written notice of the cancellation to the exemption holder.

(2)

The Departmental Chief Executive may cancel an exemption if the Departmental Chief Executive—

  • (a)

    believes the exemption holder has contravened a condition of the exemption, and

  • (b)

    gives written notice to the exemption holder of the proposed cancellation, and

  • (c)

    gives the exemption holder reasonable time to make submissions, and

  • (d)

    considers submissions made within the reasonable time, and

  • (e)

    reasonably concludes that the exemption should be cancelled.

s 23S: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23TExemption holder’s death or incapacity(1)

If an exemption holder dies, the exemption expires.

(2)

The Departmental Chief Executive must cancel an exemption if the Departmental Chief Executive is satisfied that the exemption holder is a mentally incapacitated person who is unable to comply with the conditions of the exemption.

(3)

The legal personal representative of the exemption holder must give the Departmental Chief Executive written notice as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the following—

  • (a)

    the exemption holder’s death,

  • (b)

    that the exemption holder is a person referred to in subsection (2).

(4)

If an exemption for dog premises is cancelled or expires under this section, a person may make an application under this division for an exemption for the dog premises.

(5)

Despite being cancelled or expiring under this section, the exemption is taken to continue in force until—

  • (a)

    28 days after notice is given by the legal personal representative under this section, or

  • (b)

    if an application is made for a new exemption for the dog premises before the end of the period in paragraph (a)—the application is determined.

s 23T: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23URepeal

This division is repealed on 2 December 2035.

s 23U: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Division 5Miscellaneous

pt 2AA, div 5: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23VAnimal research authority(1)

This part does not apply to the breeding of dogs in accordance with an animal research authority under the Animal Research Act 1985.

(2)

Despite subsection (1), this part applies to a dog bred in accordance with an animal research authority if the dog is rehomed or otherwise transferred to an owner who does not hold an animal research authority.

s 23V: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

23WReview of part(1)

The Minister must review this part to determine whether—

  • (a)

    the policy objectives of the part remain valid, and

  • (b)

    the terms of the part remain appropriate for securing the objectives.

(2)

The review must be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 6 years from the date of assent to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024.

(3)

The Minister must table a report on the outcome of the review in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 6 years.

s 23W: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

s 24: Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16; 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (2); 1986 No 56, sec 2; 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (12); 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [38]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [4]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [11]–[13]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1]. Renumbered as sec 23B, 2024 No 85, Sch 1[13].

Part 2APowers of officers

pt 2A: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Division 1AAAppointed officers

pt 2A, div 1AA: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

24AAAppointment of appointed officers and inspectors(1)

The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint the following persons as an officer (an appointed officer) for this Act—

  • (a)

    an employee of an approved charitable organisation,

  • (b)

    a Public Service employee.

(2)

The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint an officer as an inspector for the purposes of Division 2.

s 24AA: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

24ABTerms on which appointment made

An appointment of an appointed officer or appointed inspector may be—

  • (a)

    unconditional, or

  • (b)

    subject to conditions or limitations.

s 24AB: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

24ACPeriod of appointment(1)

An appointment of an appointed officer or appointed inspector has effect—

  • (a)

    for the period stated in the instrument of appointment, or

  • (b)

    if a period is not stated—until revoked by the Minister.

(2)

The Minister may, by written instrument, revoke or amend an appointment at any time.

(3)

If an appointment of an appointed officer or appointed inspector is made by reference to a particular office, the person appointed ceases to be an appointed officer or appointed inspector if the person ceases to hold the office.

s 24AC: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

24ADPowers subject to instrument of appointment(1)

An appointed officer or appointed inspector may exercise the functions of an officer or inspector under this Act, subject to any conditions or limitations specified in the officer’s or inspector’s instrument of appointment.

(2)

Nothing in this Act authorises or requires an appointed officer or appointed inspector to act in contravention of the conditions or limitations specified in the officer’s or inspector’s instrument of appointment as an appointed officer or appointed inspector.

s 24AD: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

24AEIdentification(1)

Each person appointed as an appointed officer or appointed inspector must be given evidence of the person’s authority as an appointed officer or appointed inspector.

(2)

In exercising functions under this Act or the regulations, an appointed officer or appointed inspector must, if asked by a person affected by the exercise of the function, produce to the person the officer’s or inspector’s evidence of authority under this Act.

(3)

The Minister may direct a person who ceases to be an appointed officer or appointed inspector to return to the Minister the evidence of the person’s authority as an appointed officer or appointed inspector.

(4)

A person who fails to comply with a direction under subsection (3) is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty for subsection (4)—25 penalty units.

s 24AE: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Division 1Powers of officers generally

pt 2A, div 1: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24AOfficers may demand name and address(1)

An officer who finds a person—

  • (a)

    who is committing an offence against this Act or the regulations, or

  • (b)

    whom the officer suspects, on reasonable grounds, of having committed or attempted to commit such an offence, or

  • (c)

    who is in charge of a vehicle or vessel that the officer suspects, on reasonable grounds, to have been instrumental in the commission of an offence against this Act or the regulations,

may require that person to inform the officer immediately of that person’s full name and home address.

(2)

A person must not fail to comply with a requirement made by an officer under subsection (1).

Maximum penalty—25 penalty units.

(3)

A person is not guilty of an offence under this section unless the officer—

  • (a)

    warned the person that failure to comply with the requirement is an offence, and

  • (b)

    identified himself or herself to the person as an officer.

(4)

An officer may request a person who is required to give information under subsection (1) to provide proof of that information.

s 24A: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [2].

24BOfficer may require responsible person for vehicle to disclose identity of driver who commits offence(1)

If the driver of a motor vehicle is alleged to have committed an offence against this Act or the regulations in the course of driving the vehicle—

  • (a)

    the responsible person for the vehicle, or the person having the custody of the vehicle, must, when required to do so by an officer, immediately give information (which must, if so required, be given in the form of a written statement signed by that person) as to the name and home address of the driver, and

  • (b)

    any other person must, if required to do so by an officer, give any information that it is in the person’s power to give and that may lead to the identification of the driver.

Maximum penalty—20 penalty units.

(2)

It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence under subsection (1) (a) if the defendant proves to the satisfaction of the court that he or she did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained the driver’s name and home address.

(3)

A written statement—

  • (a)

    purporting to be given under subsection (1) (a) and to contain particulars of the name and home address of the driver of a motor vehicle at the time of commission of an alleged offence against this Act or the regulations, and

  • (b)

    produced in any court in proceedings against the person named in the statement as the driver for such an offence,

is evidence without proof of signature that the person was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the alleged offence if the person does not appear before the court.

(4)

Expressions used in this section (other than officer), have the same meanings as in the Road Transport Act 2013.

s 24B: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2013 No 19, Sch 3.

24CSupplying officer’s details and giving warnings(1)

An officer is required, in relation to the exercise of a power conferred on the officer by this Part, to provide the person who is subject to the exercise of the power with the following—

  • (a)

    evidence that the officer is an officer,

  • (b)

    the name of the officer,

  • (c)

    the reason for the exercise of the power,

  • (d)

    a warning that failure or refusal to comply with a request of the officer, in the exercise of the power, may be an offence.

(2)

An officer is to take the action required by subsection (1) before or at the time of exercising the power concerned or, if to take the action at that time is not reasonably practicable, as soon as is reasonably practicable after exercising the power.

(3)

If 2 or more officers are exercising a power to enter land, only one officer present is required to comply with this section.

(4)

However, if a person asks another officer present for information as to the name of the officer, the officer must give to the person the information requested.

s 24C: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24CAExtension of certain powers of officers

The powers of an officer or inspector under this Part may be exercised in relation to an offence, or suspected offence, against section 9 (1) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003.

s 24CA: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 2.3 [1].

24CBOfficers’ powers relating to animals kept by convicted persons(1)

An officer may seize an animal kept—

  • (a)

    in contravention of an order made under section 30B or 31(1), or

  • (b)

    in contravention of an interstate prohibition order, within the meaning of section 31AA, or

  • (c)

    by a person convicted of an offence against the Crimes Act 1900, section 79, 80, 530 or 531, or

  • (d)

    by a person convicted of a serious interstate animal offence.

(2)

An officer may also seize an animal if the officer suspects, on reasonable grounds, that the animal is being bred, or is the offspring of an animal being bred—

  • (a)

    by a person convicted of an animal cruelty offence, or

  • (b)

    in the operation of a business relating to breeding animals that is managed or controlled by a person convicted of an animal cruelty offence.

(3)

Subsection (2) does not permit an officer to seize a stock animal or a working dog being bred for commercial purposes or the offspring of a stock animal or a working dog being bred for commercial purposes.

(4)

Subsection (2)(a) and (b) apply only in relation to a person convicted of an animal cruelty offence on or after the commencement of this section.

(5)

An officer may do one or more of the following—

  • (a)

    keep an animal seized under subsection (1) or (2),

  • (b)

    provide the animal with necessary food, drink, shelter and veterinary treatment,

  • (c)

    dispose of the animal after 5 business days after seizing the animal.

(6)

Despite subsection (5), the officer may dispose of the animal within 5 business days after seizing the animal but only if—

  • (a)

    the animal is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep the animal alive, and

  • (b)

    the officer disposes of the animal by providing euthanasia, or arranging for euthanasia to be provided, to the animal in a way that causes the animal to die quickly and without unnecessary pain.

(7)

If the officer disposes of the animal by selling the animal—

  • (a)

    the purchaser acquires a good title to the animal, and

  • (b)

    former interests in the animal are extinguished.

(8)

Compensation is not recoverable against a person or charitable organisation in relation to the exercise of a power in accordance with this section.

(9)

If a person specified in the table to this subsection, Column 1 incurs reasonable expenses in exercising a power in accordance with this section, or in complying with related duties imposed by this Act or the regulations, a person or body specified opposite in Column 2 may recover the expenses as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction from—

  • (a)

    for an animal seized under subsection (1)(a) or (b)—the person subject to the order, or

  • (b)

    for an animal seized under subsection (1)(c) or (d) or (2)—the person convicted of the offence.

Column 1

Column 2

An officer other than an employee of an approved charitable organisation

  • (a)

    The officer

  • (b)

    The Crown

An officer who is an employee of an approved charitable organisation

  • (a)

    The officer

  • (b)

    The officer’s approved charitable organisation

(10)

In this section—

business day means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.

s 24CB: Ins 2022 No 69, Sch 1[3]. Am 2024 No 51, Sch 1[4].

Division 2Powers of inspectors

pt 2A, div 2: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24DDefinitions and application of Division(1)

In this Division—

inspector means—

  • (a)

    an officer appointed as an inspector under section 24AA(2), or

  • (b)

    a police officer, or

  • (c)

    an inspector within the meaning of the Greyhound Racing Act 2017.

land includes premises or a vehicle, vessel or aircraft.

(2)

(Repealed)

(3)

An inspector may not exercise powers under this Division in relation to animal research carried out in accordance with the Animal Research Act 1985 on designated land within the meaning of that Act unless the inspector is also an inspector within the meaning of that Act.

s 24D: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [2]; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [4]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[5] [6].

24EPower to enter land(1)

An inspector may enter land for the purpose of exercising any function under this Division.

(2)

Despite subsection (1), an inspector may exercise a power under this Division to enter a dwelling only with the consent of the occupier of the dwelling, the authority of a search warrant or if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that—

  • (a)

    an animal has suffered significant physical injury, is in imminent danger of suffering significant physical injury or has a life threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary treatment, and

  • (b)

    it is necessary to exercise the power to prevent further physical injury or to prevent significant physical injury to the animal or to ensure that it is provided with veterinary treatment.

s 24E: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24FSearch warrant(1)

In this section—

authorised officer has the same meaning as it has in the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

(2)

An inspector may apply to an authorised officer for a search warrant if the inspector has reasonable grounds for believing that there is, in or on any land—

  • (a)

    an animal in respect of which an offence against this Act or the regulations is being or has been committed or is about to be committed, or

  • (b)

    evidence of an offence against this Act or the regulations that has been committed.

(3)

An authorised officer to whom an application is made under subsection (2) may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, issue a search warrant authorising an inspector named in the warrant, together with any person so named—

  • (a)

    to enter and search the land, and

  • (b)

    to exercise any functions of an inspector under this Division in or on the land.

(4)

Division 4 of Part 5 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 applies to a search warrant issued under this section.

s 24F: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.71 [1]–[3] (subst 2005 No 50, Sch 2.2).

24GPowers of inspectors in relation to land used for certain commercial purposes(1)

This section applies to the following land—

  • (a)

    land used for the purpose of a sale-yard or an animal trade,

  • (b)

    land in or on which an animal is being used, or kept for use, in connection with any other trade, or any business or profession (including a place used by a veterinary practitioner for the purpose of carrying on his or her profession),

  • (c)

    land in or on which a greyhound that is registered or required to be registered under the Greyhound Racing Act 2017 is being kept, trialled, trained or raced.

(2)

For the purposes of ensuring that the provisions of this Act or the regulations are not being contravened, an inspector may, in relation to land to which this section applies, do any or all of the following—

  • (a)

    inspect and examine the land, any animal that is in or on the land and any accommodation or shelter that is provided in or on the land for any animal,

  • (a1)

    take such photographs, films, audio, video and other recordings as the inspector considers necessary,

  • (a2)

    inspect any advertisement, or means of publishing or broadcasting an advertisement, that is on the land,

  • (b)

    inspect and examine any register that is kept under this Act or the regulations and that is in or on the land,

  • (c)

    require any person found in or on the land to produce any such register,

  • (d)

    take copies of, or extracts or notes from, any such register.

(3)

A person must not fail to comply with a requirement made by an inspector under subsection (2) (c).

Maximum penalty (subsection (3)): 25 penalty units.

s 24G: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [5] [6]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [5].

24HPowers of police officers to detain vehicle or vessel(1)

If a police officer suspects on reasonable grounds that a vehicle or vessel contains an animal in respect of which an offence against section 5, 6, 7 or 8 has been or is being committed and that the animal is in distress the police officer may—

  • (a)

    stop the vehicle or vessel, and

  • (b)

    enter the vehicle or vessel, and

  • (c)

    enter any land for the purpose of entering the vehicle or vessel, and

  • (d)

    examine the animal.

(2)

For the purpose of entering the vehicle or vessel or examining the animal concerned, the police officer may direct the person operating the vehicle or vessel to do any or all of the following—

  • (a)

    to manoeuvre the vehicle or vessel in a specified manner or to a specified place (including a place that is appropriate for examining the animal concerned),

  • (b)

    to park or secure the vehicle or vessel in a specified manner,

  • (c)

    to remain in control of the vehicle or vessel while the police officer is exercising his or her functions.

(3)

A person must not fail to comply with a direction given to the person under this section.

Maximum penalty—25 penalty units.

(4)

A direction under this section to stop a vehicle or vessel must be made in a manner prescribed by the regulations by a police officer who is identified in a manner so prescribed.

(5)

For the purposes of subsection (1), an animal is in distress if it is suffering from exposure to the elements, debility, exhaustion or significant physical injury.

s 24H: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24IPowers of inspectors generally to examine animals

An inspector may examine an animal if the inspector suspects, on reasonable grounds, that—

  • (a)

    an offence against this Act or the regulations is being, has been or is about to be committed in respect of the animal, or

  • (b)

    the animal has not been provided with proper and sufficient food or drink during the previous 24 hours (or, in the case of the provision of food to an animal of a class prescribed by the regulations, during the period prescribed for that class of animal) and is still not being provided with that food or drink, or

  • (c)

    the animal is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is necessary that the animal be provided with veterinary treatment and the animal is not being provided with that treatment, or

  • (d)

    the animal is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive, and the animal is not about to be destroyed, or is about to be destroyed in a manner that will inflict unnecessary pain on the animal.

s 24I: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24JPowers of inspectors in relation to care of animals(1)

If, after examining an animal in accordance with this Division, an inspector suspects, on reasonable grounds, that the animal is in distress (as referred to in section 24H (5)) or any of the circumstances referred to in section 24I exist in relation to the animal, the inspector may do any or all of the following—

  • (a)

    take possession of the animal (or, if the animal is dead, the animal’s carcass),

  • (b)

    if appropriate, remove the animal (or carcass) to such place as the inspector thinks fit,

  • (c)

    retain possession of the animal (or carcass),

  • (d)

    provide the animal with necessary food, drink or veterinary treatment,

  • (e)

    destroy the animal in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary pain.

(2)

An animal (or carcass) to which section 24I (a) applies may be retained by an inspector for a period not exceeding 60 days or where, within that 60-day period proceedings are commenced in respect of the offence concerned, until the proceedings are finally determined (unless the court otherwise directs).

(3)

Despite subsection (2), an animal retained under this section that is in distress or to which section 24I (b), (c) or (d) applies may be retained for such period of time as is sufficient for the animal to be provided with necessary food, drink or veterinary treatment, or to be destroyed in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary pain, as the case requires.

(4)

The reasonable expenses incurred by—

  • (a)

    an inspector who is a police officer or another person on behalf of the NSW Police Force, or

  • (b)

    an inspector who is an officer of a charitable organisation or another person on behalf of the organisation, or

  • (c)

    an inspector who is a Public Service employee (within the meaning of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013) or another person on behalf of the Crown,

in the exercise of the powers conferred by this section in respect of an animal, or in complying with the related duties imposed by this Act or the regulations, may be recovered from the owner of the animal as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction by the inspector or any other person acting on behalf of the NSW Police Force, a charitable organisation or the Crown.

s 24J: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 94, Sch 3.27; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [3].

24JAPowers of inspectors generally to examine advertisements

An inspector may examine an advertisement, or any means of publishing or broadcasting an advertisement, if the inspector suspects, on reasonable grounds, that an offence against section 23A is being, has been or is about to be committed in respect of the advertisement or other thing.

s 24JA: Ins 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [6].

24KPower of seizure of evidence of offences(1)

An inspector who is lawfully on any land investigating a suspected commission of an offence against this Act or the regulations may seize any thing that will afford evidence of the commission of the offence.

(2)

An inspector who seizes a thing under this section must provide the occupier of the land with a receipt acknowledging the seizure of the thing if the occupier is present and it is reasonably practical to do so.

(3)

If an inspector seizes a thing under this section, it may be retained by the inspector until the completion of any proceedings (including proceedings on appeal) in which it may be tendered in evidence.

(4)

However, an inspector may retain seized documents under subsection (3) only if the person from whom the documents were seized is provided, within a reasonable time after the seizure, with a copy of the documents certified by an inspector to be a true copy.

(5)

Subsection (3) ceases to have effect in relation to any thing seized if, on the application of the person aggrieved by the seizure, the court in which the proceedings referred to in that subsection are instituted orders the inspector to return the thing seized.

ss 24K–24M: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24LPeriod for search limited(1)

An inspector who enters land under this Division must not remain on the land any longer than is reasonably necessary to achieve the purpose for which the land was entered.

(2)

A police officer who detains a vehicle or vessel under this Division must not detain the vehicle or vessel any longer than is reasonably necessary to achieve the purpose for which it is detained.

ss 24K–24M: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24MInspectors may be assisted in exercising powers

An inspector may exercise a power conferred by this Division—

  • (a)

    in a place other than residential premises—in the company and with the aid of such assistants as the inspector considers necessary, or

  • (b)

    in residential premises—in the company and with the aid of such assistants, being persons of a class prescribed by the regulations, as the inspector considers necessary.

ss 24K–24M: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

24NNotices in relation to animals(1)

If an inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds that a person is contravening a provision of this Act or the regulations in relation to an animal, the inspector may give the person a notice in writing requiring the person to take such specified action in relation to the animal as the inspector considers necessary to avoid any further contravention.

(2)

A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a notice is guilty of an offence.

Maximum penalty—25 penalty units.

(3)

A person cannot be convicted for both an offence against this section and another offence under this Act or the regulations in respect of the same act or omission.

s 24N: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Subst 2009 No 88, Sch 1 [1].

24NAPower to question persons and require production of documents(1)

An inspector may require a person whom the inspector suspects on reasonable grounds to have knowledge of matters in respect of which information is reasonably required for the purposes of—

  • (a)

    exercising the powers of an inspector under this Division, or

  • (b)

    determining whether there has been a contravention of this Act or the regulations,

to answer questions or produce documents in relation to those matters.

(2)

A person must not, without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply with a requirement made of the person under this section.

Maximum penalty—25 penalty units.

(3)

A person must not furnish any information or do any other thing in purported compliance with a requirement made under this section knowing that it is false or misleading in a material respect.

Maximum penalty—25 penalty units.

s 24NA: Ins 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [3]. Am 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [7].

Part 2BPower of Secretary to authorise seizure and disposal of stock animals

pt 2B: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].

24OApplication and interpretation(1)

This Part applies only in relation to a stock animal depastured on rateable land (within the meaning of the Local Land Services Act 2013).

(2)

In this Part, a reference to an animal is taken to be a reference only to a stock animal referred to in subsection (1).

(3)

For the purposes of this Part, an animal is in distress if it is suffering from exposure to the elements, debility, exhaustion or significant physical injury.

(4)

In this Part—

inspector means an inspector within the meaning of Division 2 of Part 2A.

(1A)

A relevant agency may collect, use or disclose information if it is reasonably necessary for the purposes of administering or enforcing the Companion Animals Act 1998, Part 9.

(2)

Without limiting subsection (1), a relevant agency may disclose information collected under subsection (1) to another relevant agency—

  • (a)

    for the purposes of issuing a direction, notice or order under this Act or the regulations, or

  • (b)

    for the purposes of exercising compliance and enforcement functions under this Act or the regulations, or

  • (c)

    for the purposes of conducting legal proceedings under this Act or the regulations, or

  • (d)

    if, in the relevant agency’s opinion, it is appropriate to give the information to the other relevant agency in relation to a significant risk to safety.

(3)

In this section—

information includes personal information.

personal information has the same meaning as in the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998.

relevant agency means the following—

  • (a)

    a government sector agency, within the meaning of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013,

  • (b)

    an approved charitable organisation,

  • (c)

    a person exercising functions under this Act or the regulations in relation to enforcement, compliance or administration of this Act or the regulations,

  • (d)

    another entity prescribed by the regulations for this definition.

s 34BA: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[16]. Am 2024 No 85, Sch 1[20].

34BBDelegation by Minister(1)

The Minister may delegate the exercise of a function of the Minister under this Act, other than this power of delegation, to—

  • (a)

    a person employed in the Department, or

  • (b)

    a person, or class of persons, authorised for this section by the regulations.

(2)

A person to whom the exercise of a function is delegated under subsection (1) may subdelegate the exercise of the function, other than this power of subdelegation, to—

  • (a)

    a person employed in the Department, or

  • (b)

    a person, or class of persons, authorised for this section by the regulations.

s 34BB: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[17].

34CDelegation(1)

The Secretary may delegate the exercise of a function of the Secretary under this Act, other than this power of delegation, to—

  • (a)

    a person employed in the Department, or

  • (b)

    a person prescribed by the regulations.

(2)

The Departmental Chief Executive may delegate the exercise of a function of the Departmental Chief Executive under this Act, other than this power of delegation, to—

  • (a)

    another person employed in the Office of Local Government, or

  • (b)

    a person prescribed by the regulations.

(3)

In this section—

Departmental Chief Executive has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act 1993.

s 34C: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [3]. Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [5]. Subst 2024 No 85, Sch 1[21].

35Regulations(1)

The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act and, in particular, for or with respect to—

  • (a)

    the conditions under which any animal or species of animal may be—

    • (i)

      confined,

    • (ii)

      carried or conveyed,

    • (iii)

      kept or used in connection with a circus, or

    • (iv)

      kept or used in connection with the production of films, television programmes or film, television or photographic advertisements or theatrical performances,

  • (b)

    the accommodation or shelter to be provided for any animal or species of animal,

  • (c)

    the manner in which, and the conditions under which, any animal or species of animal may be destroyed,

  • (d)

    the licensing, prohibition, regulation and control of animal trades,

  • (e)

    the fees to be paid in connection with the issue of a licence under this Act,

  • (f)

    the keeping of records or log books by persons who carry or convey animals, and

  • (g)

    the keeping of registers by veterinary practitioners and persons carrying on animal trades.

(2)

A provision of a regulation may—

  • (a)

    apply generally or be limited in its application by reference to specified exceptions or factors,

  • (b)

    apply differently according to different factors of a specified kind,

  • (c)

    authorise any matter or thing to be from time to time determined, applied or regulated by any specified person or body, or

  • (d)

    exempt any person, or any specified class of persons, either absolutely or subject to conditions, from the operation of any specified provision of this Act,

or may do any combination of those things.

(3)

A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding the relevant maximum amount, being—

  • (a)

    in the case of an offence relating to animal trades or the confinement or use of laying fowl (domesticated chickens) for commercial egg production—200 penalty units for an offence committed by a corporation and 50 penalty units for an offence committed by an individual, or

  • (b)

    in any other case—25 penalty units.

(4)

A regulation made under subsection (1) (d) may—

  • (a)

    with respect to the licensing of an animal trade, provide for the issue of a licence subject to such conditions as the regulation may impose, or

  • (b)

    with respect to the regulation or control of an animal trade, provide that a person shall not conduct an animal trade unless the person is the holder of a licence issued in respect of the animal trade.

(5)

Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), a regulation made for the purposes of section 23 may—

  • (a)

    prescribe, as a part of New South Wales, the whole of New South Wales except such part thereof as may be specified in the regulation, and

  • (b)

    prescribe a type of trap—

    • (i)

      by words,

    • (ii)

      by reference to a photographic representation which is depicted in, and forms part of, the regulation, or

    • (iii)

      by reference to a diagram which is depicted in, and forms part of, the regulation,

    or by any combination of those methods.

s 35: Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (21), 2 (18); 1990 No 46, Sch 1; 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [65]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [6]; 2009 No 88, Sch 1 [2].

35AAct binds Crown(1)

This Act binds the Crown in right of New South Wales and, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities, except as provided in subsection (2).

(2)

This Act does not apply—

  • (a)

    to the use and handling of police dogs and police horses by police officers, or drug detection dogs by persons employed in Corrective Services NSW, Department of Justice, in the course of their duties, or

  • (b)

    to other cases prescribed by the regulations.

s 35A: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [66]. Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [6].

36Repeals and savings and transitional provisions(1)

Each Act specified in Column 1 of Schedule 1 is, to the extent specified opposite that Act in Column 2 of that Schedule, repealed.

(2)

Schedule 2 has effect.

Schedule 1Repeals

(Section 36 (1))

Column 1

Column 2

Year and number of Act

Short title of Act

Extent of repeal

1901, No 64

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1901.

The whole Act.

1928, No 54

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1928.

The whole Act.

1937, No 35

Statute Law Revision Act 1937.

So much of the Second Schedule as amended Act No 64, 1901.

1943, No 44

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1943.

Sections 1 (2) and (3) and 2 (1) and (3).

1951, No 17

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1951.

The whole Act.

1952, No 1

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1952.

The whole Act.

1953, No 35

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1953.

Sections 1 (2) and (3) and 2.

1967, No 91

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1967.

Sections 1 (2), 2, 3, 4 and 5 (2).

1973, No 45

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1973.

The whole Act.

1977, No 19

Notice of Action and Other Privileges Abolition Act 1977.

So much of Schedule 1 as amended Act No 64, 1901.

sch 1: Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16.

Schedule 2Savings and transitional provisions

(Section 36 (2))

Part 1General1Regulations(1)

The regulations may contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the following Acts—

  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 1997

  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Tail Docking) Act 2004

  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005

  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prosecutions) Act 2007

  • Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2009

  • any other Act that amends this Act

(2)

A provision referred to in subclause (1) may, if the regulations so provide, take effect from the date of assent to the Act concerned or a later date.

(3)

To the extent to which a provision referred to in subclause (1) takes effect from a date that is earlier than the date of its publication in the Gazette, the provision does not operate so as—

  • (a)

    to affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the State or an authority of the State), the rights of that person existing before the date of its publication, or

  • (b)

    to impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or an authority of the State) in respect of anything done or omitted to be done before the date of its publication.

Part 2Provisions consequent on enactment of this Act1ADefinition

In this Part, commencement day means the day appointed and notified under section 2 (2).

2

(Repealed)

3References in other Acts

On and from the commencement day, a reference in any other Act to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1901 shall be read and construed as a reference to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.

Part 3Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 19974Certain charitable organisations taken to be approved for interim period(1)

A charitable organisation (including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, New South Wales and the Animal Welfare League) whose officers were authorised under this Act immediately before the commencement of section 34B is taken to be an approved charitable organisation for a period of 3 months after that commencement.

(2)

Nothing in this clause prevents—

  • (a)

    a charitable organisation from applying to the Minister for approval under section 34B at any time after its commencement, or

  • (b)

    the Minister from making an order under section 34B (2) in relation to a charitable organisation referred to in subclause (1) at any time.

5Transitional arrangement—reports of approved charitable organisations

A charitable organisation that is approved, or taken to be approved, under section 34B is not required, despite that section, to provide the Minister with a report of the exercise by its officers of law enforcement powers under this Act for the period ended 30 June 1997.

Part 4Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 20056Inspectors

An officer who, immediately before the repeal of section 25, 26 or 26A, was the holder of a prescribed authority issued for the purposes of that section is taken on and from that repeal to have been issued with an authority by the Minister as referred to in the definition of inspector in section 24D (1).

7Proceedings for offences(1)

The repeal of section 24 (1) (d) does not affect any proceedings for an offence committed before the repeal.

(2)

Section 34 (4) applies to offences whether committed before, on or after the commencement of that subsection.

Part 5Provision consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prosecutions) Act 20078Proceedings for offences

Section 34AA does not apply to offences committed before the commencement of that section.

Part 6Provision consequent on enactment of Police Legislation Amendment (Special Constables) Act 20139Existing officers

A person who was an officer within the meaning of paragraph (b) of the definition of officer in section 4 (1) immediately before the substitution of that paragraph by the Police Legislation Amendment (Special Constables) Act 2013 is, on that substitution, taken to have been appointed by the Minister as an officer for the purposes of this Act.

Part 7Provision consequent on enactment of Local Land Services Act 201310Members of Stock Welfare Panels

A person who held office as a member of a Stock Welfare Panel under section 24T (1) (c) as in force immediately before it was amended by the Local Land Services Act 2013 is taken to have been appointed under section 24T (1) (c) as amended by that Act.

Part 8Provisions consequent on enactment of Companion Animals and Other Legislation Amendment Act 201811Meaning of “amending Act”

In this Part—

amending Act means the Companion Animals and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018.

12Extension of operation of amendment about court orders relating to certain costs or caring for and maintaining animals

Section 30A, as substituted by the amending Act, extends to proceedings commenced, but not finally determined, before the substitution of that section.

13Extension of operation of amendment about court orders relating to convicted persons

Section 31 (1) (c), as inserted by the amending Act, extends to proceedings commenced, but not finally determined, before the commencement of that paragraph.

Part 9Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 202114Meaning of “amending Act”

In this Part—

amending Act means the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021.

15Orders available to the court and alternative summons

Sections 29, 30, 30A, 31 and 33, as amended by the amending Act, extend to permit the orders referred to in those sections to be made even if the relevant proceedings commenced before the commencement of the amending Act.

16Interim disqualification orders

Section 30B, as inserted by the amending Act, extends to proceedings commenced, but not finally determined, before the commencement of the amending Act.

Part 10Provision consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Transparency and Fit and Proper Persons) Act 202417Appointed officers and inspectors(1)

A person who, immediately before the commencement of the amendment Act, Schedule 1[3], held office as an officer under section 4(1), definition of officer, paragraph (b) or (c) continues to hold office as if the person were appointed under Part 2A, Division 1AA, as inserted by the amendment Act.

(2)

A person who, immediately before the commencement of the amendment Act, Schedule 1[3], held office as an inspector under section 24D(1), definition of inspector, paragraph (a) continues to hold office as if the person were appointed under Part 2A, Division 1AA, as inserted by the amendment Act.

(3)

In this clause—

amendment Act means the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Transparency and Fit and Proper Persons) Act 2024.

Part 11Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 202418Maximum number of female adult dogs for existing breeders(1)

A person does not breach section 23D if the number of female adult dogs kept on the dog premises is no more than the number of female adult dogs that were kept on the dog premises immediately before the commencement of the section.

(2)

This clause applies to female adult dogs to which section 23D applies.

(3)

This clause is repealed on 1 December 2025.

sch 2: Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (5); 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [67]–[71]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [5]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [27] [28]; 2007 No 81, Sch 1 [2] [3]; 2009 No 88, Sch 1 [3]; 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [4]; 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [5]; 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [5]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [11]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[19]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[18]; 2024 No 85, Sch 1[22].

Historical notesTable of amending instruments

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200. Assented to 21.12.1979. Date of commencement, 9.6.1981, sec 2 (2) and GG No 77 of 5.6.1981, p 2983. This Act has been amended as follows—

1984

No 153

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1984. Assented to 10.12.1984.

1985

No 38

Miscellaneous Acts (Search Warrants) Amendment Act 1985. Assented to 26.4.1985.

Date of commencement of Sch 1 (except as provided in sec 2 (3)), 28.2.1986, sec 2 (2) and GG No 29 of 14.2.1986, p 654.

No 79

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1985. Assented to 27.5.1985.

No 124

Miscellaneous Acts (Animal Research) Amendment Act 1985. Assented to 25.11.1985.

Date of commencement of Sch 1, 1.1.1991, sec 2 (2) and GG No 82 of 29.6.1990, p 5380.

No 130

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Further Amendment) Act 1985. Assented to 25.11.1985.

1986

No 56

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Prescribed Defences) Amendment Act 1986. Assented to 15.5.1986.

1987

No 160

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1987. Assented to 18.11.1987.

Date of commencement, 18.12.1987, sec 2 (2) and GG No 193 of 18.12.1987, p 6942.

1988

No 20

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1988. Assented to 28.6.1988.

Date of commencement of Sch 15, assent, sec 2 (1).

No 92

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1988. Assented to 19.12.1988.

Date of commencement of Sch 17, 1.9.1989, sec 2 (3) and GG No 92 of 1.9.1989, p 6366.

1990

No 46

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1990. Assented to 22.6.1990.

Date of commencement of the provision of Sch 1 relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, assent, sec 2.

1991

No 69

Charitable Fundraising Act 1991. Assented to 17.12.1991.

Date of commencement, 1.9.1993, sec 2 and GG No 91 of 20.8.1993, p 4619.

No 92

Search Warrants (Amendment) Act 1991. Assented to 17.12.1991.

Date of commencement, 20.9.1992, sec 2 and GG No 116 of 18.9.1992, p 6837.

1992

No 112

Statute Law (Penalties) Act 1992. Assented to 8.12.1992.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

1994

No 95

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1994. Assented to 12.12.1994.

Date of commencement of the provisions of Sch 1 relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, assent, Sch 1.

1996

No 121

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1996. Assented to 3.12.1996.

Date of commencement of Sch 3, 3 months after assent, sec 2 (3).

1997

No 25

Animal Research Amendment Act 1997. Assented to 25.6.1997.

Date of commencement of Sch 2, 12.7.1999, sec 2 and GG No 79 of 9.7.1999, p 4813.

No 83

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 1997. Assented to 10.7.1997.

Date of commencement (except Sch 1 [5], so much of Sch 1 [12] as would insert sec 8 (3), Sch 1 [29] [30], so much of Sch 1 [35] as would insert sec 21C, Sch 1 [46]–[49] and so much of Sch 1 [64] as would insert sec 34A), 1.2.1998, sec 2 and GG No 7 of 16.1.1998, p 281; date of commencement of Sch 1 [5], so much of Sch 1 [12] as would insert sec 8 (3), Sch 1 [29] [30], so much of Sch 1 [35] as would insert sec 21C, Sch 1 [46]–[49] and so much of Sch 1 [64] as would insert sec 34A, 21.7.2000, sec 2 and GG No 93 of 21.7.2000, p 6458.

2001

No 112

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2001. Assented to 14.12.2001.

Date of commencement of Sch 2.28, assent, sec 2 (2).

2002

No 103

Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002. Assented to 29.11.2002.

Date of commencement of Sch 4, 1.12.2005, sec 2 and GG No 45 of 15.4.2005, p 1356. Amended by Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005 No 50. Assented to 27.6.2005. Date of commencement of Sch 2.2, 25.11.2005, sec 2 (2) and GG No 142 of 25.11.2005, p 9654.

2003

No 54

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Penalties) Act 2003. Assented to 23.10.2003.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

No 87

Veterinary Practice Act 2003. Assented to 5.12.2003.

Date of commencement of Sch 3.20, 1.9.2006, sec 2 (1) and GG No 111 of 1.9.2006, p 7064. The amendment made by Sch 3.20 [2] (to the extent that it amended sec 25 (1) (a) (ii)) was without effect as the provision amended was repealed by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005.

2004

No 24

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Tail Docking) Act 2004. Assented to 16.4.2004.

Date of commencement, 1.6.2004, sec 2 and GG No 91 of 28.5.2004, p 3222.

2005

No 50

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005. Assented to 27.6.2005.

Date of commencement of Sch 1 [1]–[6] [8]–[13] [18] [19] [21] and [24]–[28], assent, sec 2 (1); date of commencement of Schs 1 [7] [14]–[17] [20] [22] and [23], 25.11.2005, sec 2 (2) and GG No 142 of 25.11.2005, p 9654; date of commencement of Sch 2.3 [1], 1.9.2006, sec 2 (3) and GG No 111 of 1.9.2006, p 7064; date of commencement of Sch 2.3 [2], 1.9.2006, sec 2 (4) and GG No 111 of 1.9.2006, p 7064.

No 101

Companion Animals Amendment Act 2005. Assented to 28.11.2005.

Date of commencement of sec 4, 13.1.2006, sec 2 and GG No 7 of 13.1.2006, p 73.

2006

No 94

Police Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2006. Assented to 22.11.2006.

Date of commencement of Sch 3.27, 1.2.2007, sec 2 and GG No 22 of 1.2.2007, p 575.

No 120

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2006. Assented to 4.12.2006.

Date of commencement of Sch 2, assent, sec 2 (2).

2007

No 27

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007. Assented to 4.7.2007.

Date of commencement of Sch 1.43, assent, sec 2 (2).

No 81

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prosecutions) Act 2007. Assented to 7.12.2007.

Date of commencement, 1.1.2008, sec 2.

No 94

Miscellaneous Acts (Local Court) Amendment Act 2007. Assented to 13.12.2007.

Date of commencement of Schs 1.79, 2 and 4, 6.7.2009, sec 2 and 2009 (314) LW 3.7.2009.

2008

No 112

Rural Lands Protection Amendment Act 2008. Assented to 10.12.2008.

Date of commencement of Sch 6.24, 1.1.2009, sec 2 (1).

2009

No 78

Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Act 2009. Assented to 3.11.2009.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

No 88

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2009. Assented to 19.11.2009.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

2010

No 59

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010. Assented to 28.6.2010.

Date of commencement of Sch 2.76, 9.7.2010, sec 2 (2).

2011

No 62

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2011. Assented to 16.11.2011.

Date of commencement of Sch 2.25, 6.1.2012, sec 2 (1).

2012

No 69

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2012. Assented to 24.9.2012.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

2013

No 19

Road Transport Legislation (Repeal and Amendment) Act 2013. Assented to 3.4.2013.

Date of commencement, 1.7.2013, sec 2 and 2013 (329) LW 28.6.2013.

No 51

Local Land Services Act 2013. Assented to 1.7.2013.

Date of commencement of Sch 7, 1.1.2014, sec 2 (1).

No 56

Police Legislation Amendment (Special Constables) Act 2013. Assented to 23.8.2013.

Date of commencement, 1.12.2014, sec 2 and 2014 (750) LW 28.11.2014.

2015

No 15

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015. Assented to 29.6.2015.

Date of commencement of Sch 1.20, 8.7.2015, sec 2 (1).

No 58

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2015. Assented to 24.11.2015.

Date of commencement of Sch 3, 15.1.2016, sec 2 (3).

2017

No 13

Greyhound Racing Act 2017. Assented to 11.4.2017.

Date of commencement of Sch 6.2 [1] [4] and [5], 1.7.2018, sec 2 (1) and 2018 (304) LW 29.6.2018; date of commencement of Sch 6.2 [2] [3] and [6], 3.7.2017, sec 2 (1) and 2017 (295) LW 30.6.2017.

No 22

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2017. Assented to 1.6.2017.

Date of commencement of Sch 3, 7.7.2017, sec 2 (3).

2018

No 27

Companion Animals and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018. Assented to 15.6.2018.

Date of commencement of Sch 2 [1] [2] and [4]–[7], 1.7.2019, sec 2 and 2018 (438) LW 17.8.2018; date of commencement of Sch 2 [3] and [8]–[11], 1.7.2018, sec 2 and 2018 (301) LW 29.6.2018.

2020

No 30

Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020. Assented to 27.10.2020.

Date of commencement of amendments made by Sch 1.33, 11.12.2020, sec 2(3); date of commencement of Sch 3, assent, sec 2(1).

2021

No 15

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021. Assented to 17.6.2021.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

2022

No 69

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prohibitions for Convicted Persons) Act 2022. Assented to 25.11.2022.

Date of commencement of Sch 1[1]–[5] [8] and [9], 1.1.2023, sec 2(b); date of commencement of Sch 1[6] and [7], 1.7.2023, sec 2(a).

2024

No 51

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Transparency and Fit and Proper Persons) Act 2024. Assented to 15.8.2024.

Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.

No 85

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024. Assented to 21.11.2024.

Date of commencement of Sch 1[1] [3]–[6] [11]–[13] [14], except to the extent it inserts secs 23E–23I and Div 3, [18] and [20]–[22], assent, sec 2(c); Sch 1[2] [7]–[12] [14], to the extent it inserts secs 23E–23I and Div 3, [15]–[17] [19] and [23]: not in force.

This Act has also been amended pursuant to an order under secs 9A and 9B of the Reprints Act 1972 No 48. Order dated 13.11.1985 and published in GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008.

Table of amendments

No reference is made to certain amendments made by Schedule 3 (amendments replacing gender-specific language) to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1996.

Long title

Am 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [1].

Sec 3

Rep GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008. Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [1]. Am 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [2].

Sec 4

Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (1); 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (1); GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (1); 1988 No 20, Sch 15 (1); 1991 No 69, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [2]–[5]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [1]–[3]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [1]–[4]; 2007 No 94, Sch 2; 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [1] [2]; 2011 No 62, Sch 2.25; 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [1]; 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [1]; 2015 No 15, Sch 1.20 [2]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [1] [2]; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [1]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [3]; 2020 No 30, Sch 3.32; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[1] [2]; 2022 No 69, Sch 1[1] [2]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[1] [2]; 2024 No 85, Sch 1[1] [3] [4].

Sec 4A

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[5].

Part 2, note

Ins 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [4].

Sec 5

Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (2). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[3].

Sec 6

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (1); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [7]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [1]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[4].

Sec 7

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (3); 1988 No 92, Sch 17 (1); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [8].

Sec 8

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [9]–[12]; 2001 No 112, Sch 2.28; 2008 No 112, Sch 6.24; 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [3]; 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [1]; 2020 No 30, Sch 1.33[1]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[5].

Sec 9

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [13]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].

Sec 10

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (2); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [14]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [5] [6]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].

Sec 11

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (3); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

Sec 12

Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (6), 2 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [15]–[22]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [1]–[3]; 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73; 2007 No 27, Sch 1.43.

Sec 12A

Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (7). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [23]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [7].

Sec 13

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

Sec 14

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (6); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [24].

Sec 15

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (7); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [25]–[28]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 16

Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (8). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [29] [30].

Sec 17

Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (9), 2 (8). Subst 1988 No 92, Sch 17 (2). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

Sec 18

Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (2). Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (10). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [31].

Sec 18A

Ins 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (3). Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (9); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

Sec 19

Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (10); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

Sec 19A

Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (11). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].

Sec 20

Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (11); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [32].

Sec 21

Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (12); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [33]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [3]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [8] [9]; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [2] [3]; 2024 No 85, Sch 1[6].

Sec 21A

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [34].

Secs 21B, 21C

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35].

Sec 21D

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [10].

Sec 22

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (13); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [36]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].

Sec 23

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (14); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [37].

Sec 23A

Ins 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [4].

Sec 23B (previously sec 24)

Renumbered 2024 No 85, Sch 1[13].

Part 2AA

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Part 2AA, Div 1

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23C

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Part 2AA, Div 2

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23D

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Part 2AA, Div 4

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23M

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23N

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23O

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23P

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23Q

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23R

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23S

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23T

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23U

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Part 2AA, Div 5

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23V

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 23W

Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].

Sec 24

Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16; 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (2); 1986 No 56, sec 2; 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (12); 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [38]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [4]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [11]–[13]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1]. Renumbered as sec 23B, 2024 No 85, Sch 1[13].

Part 2A

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Part 2A, Div 1AA

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Sec 24AA

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Sec 24AB

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Sec 24AC

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Sec 24AD

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Sec 24AE

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].

Part 2A, Div 1

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Sec 24A

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [2].

Sec 24B

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2013 No 19, Sch 3.

Sec 24C

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Sec 24CA

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 2.3 [1].

Sec 24CB

Ins 2022 No 69, Sch 1[3]. Am 2024 No 51, Sch 1[4].

Part 2A, Div 2

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Sec 24D

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [2]; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [4]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[5] [6].

Sec 24E

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Sec 24F

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.71 [1]–[3] (subst 2005 No 50, Sch 2.2).

Sec 24G

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73; 2017 No 13, Sch 6.2 [5] [6]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [5].

Secs 24H, 24I

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Sec 24J

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 94, Sch 3.27; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [3].

Sec 24JA

Ins 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [6].

Secs 24K–24M

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].

Sec 24N

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Subst 2009 No 88, Sch 1 [1].

Sec 24NA

Ins 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [3]. Am 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [7].

Part 2B

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 24O

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2]. Am 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [2].

Secs 24P

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 24Q

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 24R

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2]. Am 2024 No 51, Sch 1[7].

Sec 24S

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 24T

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2]. Am 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [3]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [4].

Secs 24U, 24V

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 25

Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (3); 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (13); 1988 No 20, Sch 15 (2); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1994 No 95, Sch 1; 1997 No 25, Sch 2 [1] [2]; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [39]–[41]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].

Sec 26

Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (14); 1994 No 95, Sch 1; 1997 No 25, Sch 2 [3] [4]; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [42]–[49]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15]. Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[6]. Am 2024 No 51, Sch 1[8].

Sec 26A

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [50]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].

Sec 26AA (previously sec 26A)

Ins 1985 No 130, Sch 1 (1). Renumbered 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [50]. Am 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2].

Sec 26B

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [51].

Sec 27

Subst 1985 No 38, Sch 1. Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (15); 1991 No 92, Sch 2. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].

Sec 27A

Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (16). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [52]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].

Sec 27B

Ins 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [5]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 2.3 [2].

Sec 28

Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (15); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [53].

Sec 28A

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [16].

Sec 29

Am GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (16); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [54]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[7] [8].

Sec 29A

Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (17). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [55].

Sec 29B

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [56].

Sec 29C

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [57]. Am 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2]; 2008 No 112, Sch 6.24; 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [3]; 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [4]; 2020 No 30, Sch 1.33[2].

Sec 30

Am 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2] [3]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[9].

Sec 30A

Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (18). Am 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [17]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2] [3]. Subst 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [8]. Am 2021 No 15, Sch 1[9] [10].

Sec 30B

Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[11].

Sec 31

Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (19), 2 (17); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [58] [59]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [18]–[20]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [9] [10]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[8] [12] [13]; 2022 No 69, Sch 1[4]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[9]–[11].

Sec 31AA

Ins 2009 No 78, Sch 2. Am 2022 No 69, Sch 1[5]–[7].

Sec 31AB

Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[14].

Sec 31AC

Ins 2022 No 69, Sch 1[8].

Sec 31AD

Ins 2022 No 69, Sch 1[8].

Sec 31A

Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (20). Am 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [60]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [21]; 2005 No 101, sec 4; 2022 No 69, Sch 1[9]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[12].

Sec 32A

Ins 1985 No 130, Sch 1 (2). Am 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [61]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [22].

Sec 33

Am 2021 No 15, Sch 1[9].

Secs 33A–33D

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [62].

Sec 33E

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [23]. Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.59.

Sec 33F

Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [23].

Sec 34

Am GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [63]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [4]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [24]; 2007 No 94, Schs 2, 4; 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [4]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[15]–[17].

Sec 34AA

Ins 2007 No 81, Sch 1 [1]. Am 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [4].

Sec 34A

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [64]. Subst 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [25].

Sec 34AB

Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[18]. Rep 2024 No 85, Sch 1[18].

Sec 34B

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [64]. Am 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [26]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[13]–[15].

Sec 34BA

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[16]. Am 2024 No 85, Sch 1[20].

Sec 34BB

Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[17].

Sec 34C

Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [3]. Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [5]. Subst 2024 No 85, Sch 1[21].

Sec 35

Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (21), 2 (18); 1990 No 46, Sch 1; 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [65]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [6]; 2009 No 88, Sch 1 [2].

Sec 35A

Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [66]. Am 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [6].

Sch 1

Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16.

Sch 2

Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (5); 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [67]–[71]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [5]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [27] [28]; 2007 No 81, Sch 1 [2] [3]; 2009 No 88, Sch 1 [3]; 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [4]; 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [5]; 2013 No 56, Sch 3.5 [5]; 2018 No 27, Sch 2 [11]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[19]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[18]; 2024 No 85, Sch 1[22].

The whole Act

Am 2015 No 15, Sch 1.20 [1] (“Director-General” omitted wherever occurring,“Secretary” inserted instead).

Actions
Download as PDF Download as Word Document


Cases Citing This Decision

0

Cases Cited

0

Statutory Material Cited

0