The Animals Protection Act 1912 (SA)

ANNO TERTIO

GEORGII V REGIS.

A.D. 1912.

No. 1106.

An Act to provide for the Protection of Wild Animals.

[ A s s e n t e d to, December @h, qrz. ]

E i t Enacted by the Governor of the State of South Australia,

B with the advice and consent of the Parliament thereof, as

follow s :

1. This Act may be cited as " The Animals Protect,ion Act, short title.

1912."

2. (1 ) The " Game Act, 1886," and " The Game Act Amend- Repal and saving clauee.

ment; Act, 1891 ," are hereby repealed. No. 378 of 1886.

tuted, carried on, and prosecuted as if this Act had not been passed. Any snch investigation, legal proceeding, or remedy may be inati-

(2) Such repeal shall not affect- NO. 627 of 1891.

( a ) Anything done, suffered, or omitted under either of the said Acts, nor the effect of the doing, suffering, or omission thereof;

( b ) Any right, privilege, obligation. or liability acquired,

accrued, or incurred under either of the said Acts;

( c ) Any penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred, or liable

to be incurred in respect of any offence committed

against either of the said Acts; or

( d ) Any investigation, legal proceeding, or remedy in respect

of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability,

penalty, forfeiture, or punishment.

2 3 O GEORGII V, No. I 106.

The Arzirnals Protection Act.-1912.

Interpretation. 3. In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires or

some other meaning is clearly intended-

" Animal" means any wild mammalian animal of any kind

whether native or int,roduced:

'' Carcass " means the carcass of an animal, arid includes any part

of the carcass of an animal:

"Close season" means, with regard to an animal of any kind, the period of time during which animals of that kind are protected:

'' Closed area " means any area declared under this Act to be a

closed area:

" Crown laiids " means Crown lands as defined in " The Crown Lands Act, 1903," or lands reserved for 01 dedicated to any public purpose:

Inspertor " means an Inspector appointed under this Act, and indudes the Chief Inspector and any member of the Police Force:

W ' Minister " mmns the Minister of the Crown to whom, for the

time being, the administration of this Act is committed by

the Governor.

" Prescribed " means prescribed by this Act:

" Proclamation " means proclamation made by the Governor and

published in the Go oernment Gazette :

" Protected " means protected by this Act:

Sale " includes barter arid exchange; and to sell has a corre-

sponding meaning:

Skin " means the skin of an animal, and includes any part of the

skin of an animal:

c' Take" includes any act of hunt.ing, catching, killing, or

injuring, or of attempting or assisting to hunt, catch, kill,

or injure:

This Act " includes regulations and procla~nations made under

this Act.

Application of the

Act. 4, Unless otherwise prescribed, the provisions of this Act shall

apply throughout the whole of the State of South Australia.

Appointment of

otticera.	5, (1) The Governor may appoint a Chief Inspector and such Inspectors and other officers as he thinks fit to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(2) Every member of the Police Force shall, by virtue of his office, be an Inspector under this Act.

6. (1) The

3' GEORGII V, No. I 106.	:3
The Animals Protection Act.1912.

6. (1) The animals mentioned in the First Schedule are hereby g'fFpmt"d

wholly protected.	Cf. Birds Protection
Act, 1900, 8. 3.

(2) The animals mentioned in the Second Schedule are hereby Partly pmteoted.

partly protected.

(3) The animals mentioned in the Third Schedule are unpro- Unprotected.

tected.

7, ( 1 ) Wholly protected animals are protected animals a t all Closesesson,

times.	Ibid.
(2) Partly protected animals are protected animals during the period specified in the Second Schedule, or during such other period as is prescribed.

8, The Governor may from time to time by proclamation,- Powers of the Governor.

I. Transfer any animal from any of the Schedules to either of To alter Schedules.

the other Schedules: Ibid.

11. Prescribe a close season for any partly protected animal, Topreacribe close seasons.

either in substitution for the period specified in the ,bid.

Second Schedule or otherwise:

111. Prescribe any area within which the provisions of this ,4ct To prescribe

shall or shall not apply with respect to animals generally	territorial application.
or to any particular animal or animals:

IV. Declare any Crown lands to be a closed area with respect to TO declare closed areas.

animals generally or to any particular animal or animals. Cf. Pi.heriea

1904, 8. 4 ( b ).

9, (1) All animals with respect to which a closed area has been Closedareas.

declared shall, within such closed area, be deemed to be wholly protected animals, notwithstanding that they are elsewhere only

partly protected or are unprotected.

(2) Any dog found trespassing upon any closed area may be nogs trespassing

destroyed, and the destruction thereof shall not confer any right to	thereon may be
compensation upon any person.

10, (1) The Minister may grant permits for the taking on Crown Powers oi the Minister.

lands or elsewhere, for scientific purposes, of any protected animals. for aientisc

(2) Every permit granted hereunder may be issued subject to such purposes. Conditions of licence

restrictions and upon such terms as the Minister thinks fit: or permit.

Provided that-	Cf Birds Protection
Act, 1900, S. 7.

( a ) Every permit shall be liable to revocation by the Minister; Rev-tion.

( b ) Every permit shall specify a period during which the same Duration.

will remain in force, unless otherwise revoked; and

(c) I n no case shall such period exceed twelve months.

4 3" GEORGII V, No. I 106

The Animals Protection Act.-1912.

Powers of Inaptors. 11. Every Inspector may, at any time, without any warrant

other than this Act-

TO apprehend.	I. Apprehend any person offending against the provisions of this Act who refuses on demand to give his name and address, or who in the opinion of the Inspector gives a false name or address:
Fiaheriea Act, 1904,
a. 7 ( b ).
Search premises.	1 1. Enter and search any premises or place where there is, or he suspects there is, any animal, carcass, or skin taken, or which he suspects to have been taken, in contravention of the provisions of this Act, or where any animal, carcass, or skin is on sale or kept for the purposes of sale, or in which he believes any animal, carcass, or skin to be
cf. ibid (C).

on sale, or to be kept for the purposes of sale:

Search vehicles. 111. Search any vehicle or any box, receptacle, or package, and

Cf. ibid.	open any box, receptacle, or package containing, or which he suspects to tontain, any animal, carcass, or skin taken, or which he suspects to have been taken, in contravention of the provisions of this Act, and examine any such animal, carcass, or skin:
property.

Seize forfeited I V. Seize any property forfeited by, or which he has reason to

Cf. ibid., a. 20. believe to be liable to forfeiture under this Act:

Demand permit.	v. Demand the production of any permit issued under this Act:
Ibid., e. 8 (e ).
Require namea and	v1 Demand the name and address of any person whom he has

addresees.

reason to suspect of any offence against the provisions of

this Act:

Generally. V I I. Do any other thing prescribed, or which may be necessary

for enforcing the provisions of this Act, or for detecting

offences against this Act.

Forfeiture.	12. Every animal taken and the carcass and skin of every animal be used, in contravention of the provisions of
Cf. ibid., a. 18.	taken, and eveiy gun, trap, or other instrument used, or intended to

Birds' Protection Act, this Act, is hereby for-

1900, S. 5.

feited to His Majesty and shall be disposed of as directed by the Minister; and the forfeiture and disposal thereof shall not confer any right to compensation upon any person.

Offences. 13. Every person shall be guilty of an offence against this Act

Taking protected	who-
animal.

Birds' Protection Act,	r.	Takes any protected animal;
1900. a. 4.
tected animal or

In poeseaeion of pro- I T. Has any protected animal or the carcass or skin of any

carcam.	protected animal in his possession or control;
Dealing in protected

animals or carcaseea. r 11. Purchases or sells, offers, exposes, or has for sale, any pro-

tected animal or the carcass or skin of any protected animal;

Exporting. I V. Exports, or keeps for the purpose of export, any protected

animal or the carcass or skin of any protected animal;

V. Enters,

\

3' GEORGII V, No. I 106.	6
The Animals Protection Act.-1912.

V. Enters, or is upon, any closed area with any gun, trap, or Entering closed area	other instrument capable of being used for the purpose with gun, &c.
of taking any animal: Provided that this subdivision shall not apply to any person so acting under authority from the Minister, or from any person or body, corporate or otherwise, in whom the control of such closed area is vested.

v r. Refuses to give his name or address when lawfully demanded R e f u d to give name.

under this Act;

vr 1. Refuses to deliver up to any Inspector any property forfeited forfeited R e f u d to property. deliver

by, or liable to forfeiture under this Act; or

V I I I. Resists or in any way interferes with or hinders any Inspector Resisting Inspector.

in the execution of his duty.

14. In the case of partly protected animals, every carcass or skin, Presumptionas to

as to which during the close season any question arises, shall be deemed

~~~~~~~n~~~~

to be and to have been the carcass or skin of a protected animal,

unless it is proved that the animal was in fact taken before the

commencement of such close season.

15, Every person who uses any artificial light for the purpose use of artificial light for taking

of taking any opossum shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. opoaaum an oflenec.

16, The owner or occupier of any land, or the servant or agent of Trespasser to give

such owner or occupier, may demand the name and address of any ~ ~ ~ ~ ~; i 3 " q u i t

person trespassing upon such land whom he suspects of any offence

against this Act, and may require any such trespasser to quit such

land.

17. (l) Every person shall be guilty of an offence against this offences by trespasser.

Act who-

I. Enters or is upon any land, other than Crown lands, for the E;;~B",";~J~:	purpose of taking any animal without the permission of cf.
the owner or occupier of such land; Amendment ~ c t,

1891, S. 7.

11. Refuses to give his name and address, or gives a false name ~ e & m l e give name. I

or address when lawfully demanded under section 16;

111. Refuses to quit any land when lawfully required under R e f d to quit.

section 16; or

I V. Re-enters upon any land after having been lawfully required &-entering-

under section 16 to quit the same.

(2) I n any proceeding for any offence under thia section the

onus of proving the permission of the owner or occupier shall lie

upon the defendant.

(3) In any proceeding for any offence under subdivision I. of Presumption m to

subsection (1) of this section the fact that any person has with him purpose of treapm. Game Protection

Or Act, 1886, a. 10.

3 O GEORGII V, No. I 106.

The Anilwutls Protection Ad.-1912.

or in his possession any dog, gun, or other instrument capable of being used for the purpose of taking any animal shall LeprimdJiwie evidence that such person entered or was upon such lands for the purpose of taking some animal.

Exemption in

eeTtain oases.	18. Notwithstanding anything in this Act it shall be lawful for-
A b o r i w may

take for food. I. Any full-blooded aboriginal to take any animal upon any

Of. Birds Protection	Crown lands, other than a closed area, sufficient only
Act, 1900, a. 4. I.	for food for himself or his family, but not for sale:
A n h a h in

conhement .	11.	Any person to keep any animal as a domestic pet:
Cf. ibid. iii.

Protaction of III. Any person being the owner or occupier of any garden,

oultivated lands.	plantation, or cultivated land, or any person authorised
Cf. ibid. iv.	by such owner or occupier, to take any animal therein for the bonci fide protection of such garden, plantation, or cultivated land, or anything growing, planted, or sown therein: Provided that no carcass or skin of any protected animal so takes shall be sold, or offered, exposed, or kept for sale.
permittees for

Exemption to 19. Nothing in this Act-

scientific purpoae~.	(a) Shall render unlawful anything done by any person to whom a permit has been granted by the Minister to take any animals for scientific purposes: Provided that such thing is within the authority conferred by such permit and that such permit is produced for ins'pection whenever lawfully demanded; or
south ~uetralian	( 6 ) Shall apply in respect of any animal taken for or kept by

Zoological hciety.

the South Australian Zoological and Acclimatisation

Society Incorporated.

Regulations.	20. (1) The Governor may make any regulations which may be necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to the pro-
payment of fees, and impoaing penalties not exceeding Ten Pounds visions or objects of this Act, including regulations prescribing the
for any one offence against any regulation.

Publication and effect	(2)	regdations-
of mguhtions.

(a) Shall be published in the Government Gazette ;

(b) From the date of such publication, or from a later date

fixed by the order making the same, shall (subject to subsection (2) hereof) be of the same effect as if they were contained in this Act; and

(C) Shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament within

fourteen days after publication, if Parliament is in Session, and if not, then within fourteen days after the commencement of the next Session of Parliament.

(3) If either House of Parliament passes a resolution disallowing

~ i r c l l l o ~ t m ~ by

~arliamcmt.

any such regulation, of which resolution notice has been given at

any

3" GEORGII V, No. I 106.

The Ar~inaalS Protedion Ad.-1912.

any time within fourteen sitting days of such House after such

regulation has been laid before it, such regulation shall thereupon

cease to have effect, but without affecting the validity or curing

the invalidity of anything done, or of the omission of anything, in 'c-

the meantime.	.	a$
.-h,
This subsection shall apply notwithstanding that the said fourteen ~i t t ing days, or some of them, do not occur in the same Session or Parliament as that in which the regulation is laid before such House.	2

.

(4) When a resolution has been passed as mentioned in subsection ~ ~ ~ f u t i m to be

(3) hereof, notice of such resolution shall forthwith be published in notifted in e ~ t u.

the Government Gazette.

21. Every person who is guilty of an offence against this Act, Pemlti-.

shall. except where otherwise pescribed, be liable-

(a) For the first offence to a penalty of not less that1 One Pound

nor more than Five Pounds;

( h ) For a, second or subsequent offence to a penalty of not less

than Two Pounds nor more than Twenty Pounds; and

(C) In the case of any offence against subdivision I., H., m,, or Additional Penalties. ..

m. of section 13, to an idditiona.1 penalty in respect of Cf. B * d t ~ ~ d ~ ~ ~	Act, 1900, 8. 8.
every animal, carcass, or skin improperly taken, held, or dealt with, not exceeding Five Pounds if a wholly protected animal or the carcass or skin of a wholly protected animal, or otherwise not exceeding Two Pounds.

shall be by information, which shall be heard and determined in a offences. 22. (1) Proceedings in respect of any offence against this Act m i n g a f o r

summary way, by any Special Magistrate or two Justices of the Peace, under the provisions of the Ordinance No. 6 of 1850, and

in force regulating summary proceedings before Justices of the any amendments thereof, or of any other Act for the time being	Peace.
(2) All convictions and orders made by any such Magistrate or Justices in such proceedings may be enforced as provided by the said Ordinance and amendments or other Act as aforesaid.

23, There shall be an appeal from- Apr~eal.

( a ) Any order of a Special Magistrate or Justices;

(b) Any conviction by a Special Magistrate or Justices;

(c) Any order dismissing an information;

under this Act.

(2) Such appeal shall be to the Local Court of Adelaide in its Full

Jurisdiction, ttnd shall be regulated by the said Ordinance No. 6 of

1860, and any amendments thereof, or any other Act for the time

being in force regulating appeals to Local Courts.

(3) The

3' GEORGII V, No. I 106.

The Animals Prdection Act .1912.

(3) The Local Court shall have power to make such order as to

costs as it thinks fit, and the amount of costs ordered may exceed

Ten Pounds,

-1 Court may 24. (1) The Local Court may state a special case for the opinion

atate a w e for

opmion of supreme of the Supreme Court. A

(2) The Supreme Court shall deal with such special case according to 'the practice of the Supreme Court on special cases, and may make such order therein, including any order as to costs, as to the - said Court appears just.

(3) The Supreme Court may send the special case back for amendment, or may itself amend the same.

(4) The Justices, or the Local Court, shall make an order in respect of the matters referred to the Supreme Court, in conformity

with the certificate of the said Supreme Court, or a Judge thereof.

( 5 ) Such order of the Justices or Local Court, shall be enforced

in manner provided by section 22 or otherwise by law.

Protection to 25, No action shall be brought against any Inspector or other

offioers. person for or on account of any matter or thing done or committed by him ill the execution, or intended execution, of his duty or office under this Act, unless such action is commenced within six months after the cause of action arises.

I n the name and on behalf of His Majesty, I hereby assent to

this Bill.

DAY H. BOSANQUET, Governor.

SCHEDULES.

3 O GEORGI I V, No. I 106.

-- -p- p - - - -- -

-- -- --

- -.

- The Animals Protection Act.-1912.

SCHEDULES.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

ANIMALS WHOLLY PROTECTED.

Bandicoot	Dormouse Opossum
Flying Squirrel	Duck-billed Platypus
Banded Ant-eater	Native Porcupine
Native Bear	Rock Wallaby
Opossum	Kangaroo Mouse

SECOND SCHEDULE.

ANIMALS PARTLY PROTECTED.

l-

Kind of Animal. Close Season.

Seal, Hair and Fur

Kangaroo

Wallaby of all kinds, with the exception of

Rock Wallaby

Kangaroo Hat	I l st July e, 31st December (both
} dates included).
Deer

All other animals native to Australia, excepting I I

only those included in the First and Third

Schedules.

THIRD SCHEDULE.	Sec. 6.
ANIMALS UNPROTECTED.

Foxes	Wild Dogs
Hares	Rats and Mice.
Domestic Cats run wild	Wombat
Rabbits

And all other animals introduced into Australia, excepting only those included in the

First and Second Schedules.

Adelaide: By authority, R. E. E. ROOERS, Government Printer, North Terrace.