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 1 Preliminary
1 Name of Act
This Act may be cited as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979.
2 Commencement
(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.
3 Objects 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].
4 Definitions
(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.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, orwhether or not for the purpose of causing the bull to fight.(c) attempts to do any of the things mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b),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].
4A Meaning 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 2 Offences
Note—
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].
5 Cruelty 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].
6 Aggravated 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, andconvict that person of an offence against section 5 (1).(b) where it is satisfied that that person is guilty 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].
7 Carriage and conveyance of animals
(1) A person shall not—(a) carry or convey an animal, orin a manner which unreasonably, unnecessarily or unjustifiably inflicts pain upon the animal.(b) where the person is a person in charge of an animal—authorise the carriage or conveyance of 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].
8 Animals 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].
9 Confined 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, orin a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain upon the animal, and(ii) displaying the animal in a public exhibition or public competition,(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].
10 Tethering of animals
(1) A person shall not—(a) tether an animal, orfor an unreasonable length of time or by means of an unreasonably heavy, or unreasonably short, tether.(b) where the person is a person in charge of an animal—authorise the tethering of 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) 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].
11 Animals 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].
12 Certain 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)and the procedure was performed in the prescribed circumstances and in accordance with any conditions specified in the regulations.(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, orby a veterinary practitioner,(vi) firing or hot iron branding the face of an animal,(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.
12A Registers 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, orfor a period of not less than 2 years after the procedure is carried out.(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,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].
13 Certain animals not to be ridden etc
A person shall not—(a) ride, drive, use, carry or convey an animal, orif the animal is unfit for the purpose of its being so ridden, driven, used, carried or conveyed.(b) where the person is a person in charge of an animal—authorise the riding, driving, using, carrying or conveying of 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.s 13: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
14 Injuries 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].
15 Poisons 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].
16 Certain 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].
17 Certain 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].
18 Animal 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, orfor the purpose of conducting a bull-fight, baiting an animal or causing an animal to fight.(c) receive money for the admission of another person to any place which is used,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].
18A Bull-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].
19 Trap-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].
19A Game 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, orfor the purposes of a game park.(c) receive money or any other consideration for the admission of another person to any premises which are used,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, oras may be prescribed for the purposes of this section.(b) the taking or killing of animals in such circumstances by such persons or in or on such premises,s 19A: Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (11). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
20 Certain 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].
21 Live 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, oris guilty of an offence.(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,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].
21A Firing 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].
21B Tail 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].
21C Steeplechasing 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].
22 Severely 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].
23 Certain 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].
23A Information 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].
23B Certain 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, orin a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain upon the animal,(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,(b) in the course of, and for the purpose of—(i) hunting, shooting, snaring, trapping, catching or capturing the animal, orin a manner that inflicted no unnecessary pain upon the animal,(ii) destroying the animal, or preparing the animal for destruction, for the purpose of producing food for human consumption,(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, orin accordance with the provisions of the Animal Research Act 1985, or(ii) supplying animals for use in connection with animal research,(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 2AA Dogs
pt 2AA: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].
Division 1 Preliminary
pt 2AA, div 1: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].
23C Definitions
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 2 Dog breeding
pt 2AA, div 2: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].
23D Maximum 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 4 Exemption to maximum number of female adult dogs
pt 2AA, div 4: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].
23M Definitions
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].
23N Application 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].
23O Refusal 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].
23P Granting 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].
23Q Exemption 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].
23R Expiration 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].
23S Cancellation 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].
23T Exemption 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].
23U Repeal
This division is repealed on 2 December 2035.s 23U: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].
Division 5 Miscellaneous
pt 2AA, div 5: Ins 2024 No 85, Sch 1[14].
23V Animal 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].
23W Review 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 2A Powers of officers
pt 2A: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Division 1AA Appointed officers
pt 2A, div 1AA: Ins 2024 No 51, Sch 1[3].
24AA Appointment 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].
24AB Terms 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].
24AC Period 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].
24AD Powers 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].
24AE Identification
(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 1 Powers of officers generally
pt 2A, div 1: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
24A Officers 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, ormay require that person to inform the officer immediately of that person’s full name and home address.(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,(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].
24B Officer 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, andis 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.(b) produced in any court in proceedings against the person named in the statement as the driver for such an offence,(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.
24C Supplying 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].
24CA Extension 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].
24CB Officers’ 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.
Division 2 Powers of inspectors
pt 2A, div 2: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
24D Definitions 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].
24E Power 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].
24F Search warrant
(1) In this section—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).
24G Powers 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].
24H Powers 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].
24I Powers 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].
24J Powers 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, orin 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.(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,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].
24JA Powers 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].
24K Power 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].
24L Period 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].
24M Inspectors 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].
24N Notices 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].
24NA Power 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, orto answer questions or produce documents in relation to those matters.(b) determining whether there has been a contravention of this Act or the regulations,(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 2B Power of Secretary to authorise seizure and disposal of stock animals
pt 2B: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].
24O Application 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.official warning—see section 24P.Stock Welfare Panel or Panel means a Stock Welfare Panel constituted in accordance with section 24T.s 24O: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2]. Am 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [2].
24P Official warning of intention to authorise seizure and disposal of stock animals
(1) The Secretary may issue an official warning in respect of an animal if the Secretary suspects, on reasonable grounds, that the animal is in distress, or is likely to become distressed, because it has not been provided with necessary veterinary treatment, or proper and sufficient food, drink or shelter.(2) An official warning is a written notice, to the owner or person in charge of the animal, that the Secretary intends to authorise the seizure and disposal of the animal if the action required to be taken by the notice in relation to the animal’s welfare is not taken within the period required by the notice.(3) Before issuing an official warning, the Secretary must—(a) constitute a Stock Welfare Panel to assess, and report to the Secretary on, the state of and appropriate care for the animal and any other matter concerning its welfare that the Secretary considers appropriate, and(b) consider the Panel’s report.(4) If the Secretary issues an official warning, the Panel is to—(a) monitor compliance with the official warning, and(b) on the expiry of the period for compliance required by the official warning, assess, and report to the Secretary on, compliance with the official warning, and appropriate action to be taken in relation to the animal.(5) An inspector may, for the purpose of assisting the Panel in the exercise of its functions under this section—(a) enter any land on which the animal is kept, and(b) examine the animal.(6) The Secretary may, by further written notice to the owner or person in charge of an animal—(a) revoke an official warning, or(b) extend the period for compliance with an official warning.(7) A single official warning may be issued in respect of more than one animal.ss 24P: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].
24Q Seizure and disposal of stock animals
(1) The Secretary may, by order in writing, authorise an inspector to seize and dispose of an animal (by way of sale or otherwise) if, after considering the Panel’s report on compliance with an official warning, the Secretary is satisfied—(a) that the action required to be taken by the official warning in relation to the animal’s welfare has not been taken, and(b) that the animal remains in distress or likely to become distressed.(2) An inspector authorised to seize and dispose of an animal under this section may—(a) enter any land on which the animal is kept, and(b) seize and dispose of the animal in accordance with the authorisation.(3) The inspector must—(a) produce to the owner or person in charge of the animal a copy of the order authorising the seizure and disposal, if requested to do so, and(b) provide the owner or person in charge of the animal with a receipt acknowledging seizure of the animal, if the owner or person is present and it is reasonably practical to do so.(4) Compensation is not recoverable against any person in respect of the seizure or disposal of an animal in accordance with this section.(5) An animal may not be sold or otherwise disposed of under this section if—(a) any proceedings in respect of the animal for an offence against this Act or the regulations have been commenced but have not been finally determined, or(b) an order has been made by a court under section 30 or 31 in respect of the destruction or other disposal of the animal.(6) A single order may be made under this section in respect of more than one animal.(7) Section 31A does not apply to a sale of an animal under this section.s 24Q: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].
24R Recovery of costs of seizure and disposal
(1) An inspector may certify the costs and expenses incurred by an enforcement authority in connection with the seizure, keeping and sale or other disposal of an animal under section 24Q (the certified disposal costs).(2) A single certificate may be issued in respect of more than one animal.(3) The proceeds of any sale of an animal under section 24Q are to be applied towards the certified disposal costs.(4) The balance (if any) of the proceeds of sale is to be paid to the former owner of the animal.(5) The certified disposal costs or the balance of the certified disposal costs after applying the proceeds of sale are recoverable in a court of competent jurisdiction by a person acting on behalf of the enforcement authority as a debt payable to the enforcement authority.(6) The Secretary may authorise a person or class of persons to act on behalf of the Crown under this section.(7) In this section, means—(a) in the case of an animal seized by an appointed officer who is an employee of an approved charitable organisation, the charitable organisation, or(b) in any other case, the Crown.s 24R: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2]. Am 2024 No 51, Sch 1[7].
24S Purchaser acquires good title
If an animal is sold under section 24Q—(a) the purchaser acquires a good title to the animal, and(b) the interest of the former owner or any other person who had an interest in the animal is extinguished.s 24S: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].
24T Stock Welfare Panels
(1) A Stock Welfare Panel is to consist of the following members—(a) an inspector,(b) at least one person employed in the Department with expertise in animal welfare or livestock management,(c) at least one representative of Local Land Services, with expertise in animal welfare or livestock management,(d) such other person or persons as the regulations may prescribe.(2) The procedure of a Panel is to be as determined by the Secretary.s 24T: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2]. Am 2013 No 51, Sch 7.40 [3]; 2015 No 58, Sch 3.72 [4].
24U Exclusion of personal liability
Anything done or omitted to be done by the Secretary, a member of a Stock Welfare Panel or an inspector in exercising the functions conferred or imposed under this Part does not, if the thing was done or omitted to be done in good faith, subject the Secretary, member or inspector personally to any action, liability, claim or demand.s 24U: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].
24V Powers conferred on inspectors
(1) Sections 24C, 24E (2), 24L and 24M apply in relation to the powers conferred on inspectors by this Part in the same way as they apply in relation to powers conferred by Part 2A.(2) An inspector who has entered land under a power conferred by this Part may exercise a power conferred by Part 2A.s 24V: Ins 2012 No 69, Sch 1 [2].
Part 3 Miscellaneous
25 (Repealed)
s 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].
26 Definitions
In this Part—disqualification order means an order that a person must not, for the period specified in the order, do any of the following—(a) purchase or acquire, or take possession or custody of, an animal,(b) keep, or participate in keeping, an animal,(c) be party to an arrangement under which the person is entitled to control or influence the keeping of an animal, including an animal owned by another person or in another person’s possession,(d) otherwise be involved with the keeping or care of an animal, including an animal owned by another person or in another person’s possession.s 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].
26A (Repealed)
s 26A: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [50]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].
26AA Powers of veterinary practitioners to destroy animals
(1) Where, in the opinion of a veterinary practitioner—(a) an animal is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive, andthe veterinary practitioner may—(b) the animal is not about to be destroyed, or is about to be destroyed in a manner that will inflict unnecessary pain upon the animal,(c) take possession of the animal,(d) remove the animal to such place as the veterinary practitioner thinks fit, and(e) destroy the animal, or cause it to be destroyed, in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary pain.(2) The reasonable costs incurred by a veterinary practitioner in the exercise of the powers conferred upon the veterinary practitioner by subsection (1) in respect of an animal may be recovered from the owner of the animal as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction by the veterinary practitioner.s 26AA (previously s 26A): Ins 1985 No 130, Sch 1 (1). Renumbered 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [50]. Am 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2].
26B Power of sale-yard or abattoir managers to destroy animals
(1) This section applies in respect of an animal in a sale-yard or abattoir that, in the opinion of the manager of the sale-yard or abattoir—(a) is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive, and(b) is not about to be destroyed, or is about to be destroyed in a manner that will inflict unnecessary pain on the animal.(2) The manager of the sale-yard or abattoir may destroy, or cause to be destroyed, an animal to which this section applies in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary pain.(3) The manager of the sale-yard or abattoir, when destroying an animal in accordance with this section, is taken to have the same powers as an officer has to destroy an animal under this Act.s 26B: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [51].
27–27B (Repealed)
s 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].
s 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].
s 27B: Ins 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [5]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 2.3 [2].
28 Obstruction of persons exercising powers etc
A person shall not obstruct, hinder or interfere with any other person while that other person is exercising or performing any power, authority, duty or function conferred upon that other person by or under this Act.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.s 28: Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (15); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [53].
28A Offence of impersonating an authorised officer
A person must not impersonate, or falsely represent that the person is, an officer.Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.s 28A: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [16].
29 Court may order production of animal
(1) Upon complaint made on oath by an officer that the officer suspects, on reasonable grounds, that an animal cruelty offence is being, or has been, committed, a court may issue a summons against a person in charge of the animal requiring the person to produce the animal, or cause the animal to be produced, before a court specified in the summons, and at a time and date so specified, for the inspection of the court.(2) A person upon whom a summons issued under subsection (1) is served shall not, without reasonable cause, fail to comply with the summons.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.s 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].
29A False or misleading entries in registers
A person shall not knowingly make, or authorise the making of, a false or misleading entry in a register that the person is required to keep or cause to be kept under this Act or the regulations.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.s 29A: Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (17). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [55].
29B False information
(1) This section applies to the provision of information to an officer in the exercise of a power conferred on the officer by this Part to require the provision of the information.(2) A person who provides information to which this section applies that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units.(3) A person is not guilty of an offence against this section unless the officer—(a) warned the person of the requirement to provide information that is not false or misleading, and(b) identified himself or herself to the person as an officer.s 29B: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [56].
29C Court may make order regarding care of animals
(1) This section applies if—(a) an officer has located an animal or animals that require urgent maintenance and care, and(b) the owner of the animal or animals has died or cannot, after reasonable inquiries by the officer, be located, and(c) so far as the officer can ascertain, after the making of reasonable inquiries, no other person is responsible for the maintenance and care of the animal or animals.(2) An officer may apply to the court and the court may order, in circumstances to which this section applies, that the officer be permitted to enter and use the facilities of the place on which the animal or animals are located for their immediate maintenance and care, subject to such conditions (if any) that the court may specify.(3) Before applying for an order under this section, the officer must obtain, or cause to be obtained, advice as to the appropriate care of the animal or animals—(a) in the case of livestock—from Local Land Services, or(b) in the case of other animals—from an appropriate body or person.(4) An order under this section has effect for such period (not exceeding 30 days) that the court orders.(5) An officer may, before the expiration of an order made under this section, apply to the court for a further order. However, the maximum duration of all orders made by the court in respect of the same animal or animals must not exceed 90 days.(6) In this section, facilities includes stock-yards and other fixed improvements used for the keeping of livestock or other animals, water and watering equipment and any stock or other feed growing or stored on the place on which the animal or animals are located that is necessary and appropriate for their maintenance and care.s 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].
30 Court may order destruction of animal
(1) Where—(a) the court has convicted a person of an animal cruelty offence, andthe court may—(b) the court is satisfied that the animal is so severely injured, so diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive,(c) make an order that the animal be destroyed by such person as is specified in the order, and(d) where it has made an order under paragraph (c)—make a further order that the person referred to in paragraph (a) pay to the person specified in the order made under paragraph (c) such costs in respect of the destruction of the animal as are specified in that further order.(2) A person specified in an order made under subsection (1) (c) shall, as soon after that person has been served with the order as is practicable, destroy the animal to which the order relates, or cause it to be destroyed, in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary pain.(3) Where the court has made an order under subsection (1) (d), the person to whom the costs specified in the order are required by the order to be paid may recover those costs from the person who is required by the order to pay those costs as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.s 30: Am 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2] [3]; 2021 No 15, Sch 1[9].
30A Court may order payment of care and maintenance costs by accused person
(1) A court may order a person charged with an animal cruelty offence to pay to a specified person or organisation the amount specified in the order for any or all reasonable care and maintenance costs incurred by that person or organisation in relation to the animal as a consequence of the offence or alleged offence or in connection with the proceedings. Any such order is a costs order.(2) For the purposes of this section, reasonable care and maintenance costs are any costs reasonably incurred in doing any of the following—(a) taking possession of the animal,(b) transporting the animal,(c) providing the animal with food and drink,(d) providing the animal with shelter,(e) providing the animal with veterinary treatment.(3) A costs order can be made—(a) at the time that the court convicts the person of the relevant offence, or(b) at any other time before proceedings for the relevant offence have been concluded.(4) An amount required to be paid under a costs order is recoverable by the person or organisation in whose favour the order is made, or a person acting on behalf of that person or organisation, as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction from the person who is required under the costs order to pay that amount.(5) If proceedings against a person for an offence against this Act or the regulations have not concluded, a court may, instead of or in addition to making a costs order, order the person to provide a bond or security for the payment of any specified reasonable care and maintenance costs, or any further reasonable care and maintenance costs, that the person may later be required to pay under a costs order.(6) If the amount realised under any such bond or security exceeds the amount payable under a costs order, the excess amount is to be paid or returned to the person who provided the bond or security.(7) A court that acquits or discharges a person of an offence against this Act or the regulations may, if it considers it just and reasonable to do so in the circumstances, make any or all of the following orders—(a) an order revoking or varying any previous costs order made by the court in connection with the proceedings,(b) an order requiring any amount or any part of an amount already paid by the accused person under the order to be refunded to the accused person,(c) an order requiring any bond or security provided by the person to be cancelled or returned.(8) Reasonable care and maintenance costs incurred after proceedings against a person for an offence have concluded are not recoverable under this section.(9) Without limiting subsection (1), the organisations that may be specified in a costs order as organisations to be paid include any of the following—(a) a charitable organisation,(b) the NSW Police Force,(c) a government department.(10) Nothing in this section limits the operation of section 24J (4), 26AA (2) or 30 (1) (d) and (3).(11) In this section—conviction includes the making of an order under section 10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999.s 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].
30B Court may make interim disqualification order during proceedings
(1) In proceedings against a person for an animal cruelty offence, if a court is satisfied that, were the person to be in charge of an animal, the person would be likely to commit another animal cruelty offence, the court may make a disqualification order (an interim disqualification order).(2) An interim disqualification order ceases to have effect on the earlier of—(a) completion of all proceedings against the person under this Act or section 79, 80, 530 or 531 of the Crimes Act 1900, or(b) the end of the period of the order specified by the court.(3) A person must not fail to comply with an interim disqualification order.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.s 30B: Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[11].
31 Court may make further orders following findings of guilt etc
(1) If a court has found a person guilty of an animal cruelty offence, or has made an order, entered a special verdict or made a qualified verdict of guilt under the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020, section 14, 19, 20, 31 or 62 in relation to an animal cruelty offence and the court is satisfied that, were the person to be in charge of an animal, the person would be likely to commit another animal cruelty offence, the court may make either or both of the following orders—(a) an order for the disposal of an animal of which the person is a person in charge,(b) a disqualification order.(1AA) However, a court must make an order under subsection (1)(b) if the court—(a) has found the person guilty of an offence against this Act, section 6, 15, 18 or 21 or the Crimes Act 1900, section 79, 80, 530 or 531, or(b) has made an order, entered a special verdict or made a qualified finding of guilt under the Mental Health and Cognitive Impairment Forensic Provisions Act 2020, section 14, 19, 20, 31 or 62 in relation to an offence specified in paragraph (a), (c) or (d), or(c) has found the person guilty of an offence against this Act, section 5 and the person has previously been found guilty of an offence against that section, or(d) has found the person guilty of more than one offence against this Act, section 5 and the offences arose out of separate acts or omissions.(1AB) Subsection (1AA) does not apply if the court is satisfied special circumstances justify not making the order.(1A) An order under subsection (1)(a) may require the disposal by a date or within a period specified by the court.(1B) An order under subsection (1)(b) ceases to have effect at the end of the period of the order specified by the court.(2) An order under subsection (1) may be made by the court in addition to any penalty that it may otherwise impose in relation to the person concerned.(3) A person upon whom an order made under subsection (1) is served shall not fail to comply with the order.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.(4) If an officer has taken possession of an animal under section 24J (1) in relation to the alleged commission of an offence against this Act or the regulations, the officer may apply to the court before which the proceedings for the offence are commenced for an order for the disposal of the animal before the proceedings are finally determined.(5) The court to which an application under subsection (4) is made may—(a) order that the animal in respect of which the application is made be sold or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court considers appropriate in the circumstances, and(b) direct that the proceeds of the sale or other disposal be held in trust pending the determination of the proceedings for the offence and the further order of the court, and(c) make such other orders as the court considers appropriate.s 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].
31AA Recognition of interstate prohibition orders
(1) An interstate prohibition order applies in New South Wales in the same way it applies in the State or Territory where it was made.(1A) A person subject to an interstate prohibition order must comply with the order.Maximum penalty—50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both.(2) An interstate prohibition order is an order made by a court under the law of another State or a Territory, or a part of such an order, that has the effect of prohibiting a person from purchasing or acquiring, or taking possession or custody of, any animal.(3)–(6) (Repealed)s 31AA: Ins 2009 No 78, Sch 2. Am 2022 No 69, Sch 1[5]–[7].
31AB Prohibitions for persons convicted of certain offences
If a person is convicted of an offence against the Crimes Act 1900, section 79, 80, 530 or 531, the person must not—(a) purchase or own an animal, or(b) engage in work, whether paid or unpaid, involving direct contact with, or care of, an animal.Maximum penalty—400 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year, or both.s 31AB: Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[14].
31AC Prohibitions for persons convicted of serious interstate animal offences
(1) A person convicted of a serious interstate animal offence must not—(a) purchase or own an animal, or(b) engage in work, whether paid or unpaid, involving direct contact with, or care of, an animal.Maximum penalty—400 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year, or both.(2) Subsection (1) extends to a conviction that occurred before the commencement of this section.s 31AC: Ins 2022 No 69, Sch 1[8].
31AD Certain convicted persons prohibited from breeding animals
(1) If a person is convicted of an animal cruelty offence, the person must not—(a) breed animals, or(b) manage or control a business relating to breeding animals, or(c) work with, or care for, animals in a business relating to breeding animals.Maximum penalty—(a) for an individual—400 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year, or both, or(b) otherwise—2,000 penalty units.(2) Subsection (1) applies only in relation to a person convicted of an animal cruelty offence on or after the commencement of this section.(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the following—(a) stock animals or working dogs being bred for commercial purposes,(b) businesses relating to breeding stock animals or working dogs for commercial purposes.s 31AD: Ins 2022 No 69, Sch 1[8].
31A Sale of certain animals by charitable organisations
(1) This section applies in respect of the following—(a) an animal retained by an appointed officer who is an employee of a charitable organisation in accordance with this Act, other than an animal seized under section 24CB,(b) a stray or abandoned animal delivered to or otherwise coming into the possession of a charitable organisation,(c) an animal surrendered to a charitable organisation.(1A) A charitable organisation may sell or rehouse, either permanently or temporarily, an animal to which this section applies (other than an animal that was surrendered by its owner to the charitable organisation), or cause any such animal to be humanely killed and its body disposed of, if—(a) the animal has been kept by the charitable organisation for a period of not less than 21 days, and(b) the charitable organisation has made reasonable inquiries to find the owner or person in charge of the animal, and(c) within that 21-day period, the owner or person in charge of the animal has not been found or come forward to claim the animal or has refused to take care of the animal.(1B) A charitable organisation may at any time sell or rehouse, either permanently or temporarily, an animal to which this section applies that was surrendered by its owner to the charitable organisation, or cause any such animal to be humanely killed and its body disposed of.(2) When an animal is sold in accordance with this section—(a) the purchaser acquires a good title to the animal, and(b) the interest of the former owner or any other person who had an interest in the animal is extinguished.(3) Compensation is not recoverable against any person or organisation in respect of the sale or other disposal of an animal in accordance with this section.(4) An animal may not be sold or otherwise disposed of under this section if—(a) any proceedings in respect of the animal for an offence against this Act or the regulations have been commenced but have not been finally determined, or(b) an order has been made by a court under section 30 or 31 in respect of the destruction or other disposal of the animal.(5) Nothing in this section authorises a charitable organisation to sell or rehouse a dog that is a restricted dog within the meaning of the Companion Animals Act 1998.s 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].
32 Sale-yard owner may recoup expenses
The reasonable costs incurred by the owner or lessee of a sale-yard in complying with the duties imposed upon that owner or lessee by this Act or the regulations in respect of a stock animal which is confined in the sale-yard may be recovered by that owner or lessee from the owner of the animal as a debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.
32A Compensation not recoverable
(1) Compensation is not recoverable against any person in respect of the destruction of an animal in accordance with section 26AA (1), 24J or 30 (2).(2) Compensation is not recoverable against any person in respect of—(a) the disposal of an animal in accordance with a court order made under section 31 (5), or(b) the use of the facilities of a place in accordance with a court order made under section 29C.s 32A: Ins 1985 No 130, Sch 1 (2). Am 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [61]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [22].
33 Alternative summons
(1) Where, at any time during proceedings for an animal cruelty offence, the person accused of the offence satisfies the court before which those proceedings are being taken that the act or omission in respect of which those proceedings are being taken was done, authorised to be done or omitted to be done by that person in compliance with an express direction given by—(a) the owner of the animal, orthat court—(b) where that person was bound to comply with the directions, in respect of the animal, of any servant or agent of the owner of the animal—the servant or agent,(c) may—(i) make an order that that person be discharged, or(ii) adjourn those proceedings until the proceedings referred to in subsection (2) have been determined, and(d) may issue a summons against that owner, servant or agent, as the case may be, in respect of the offence—(i) within a period of 6 months after that time, orwhichever period expires earlier.(ii) within a period of 2 years after the date on which it is alleged that the offence occurred,(2) In any proceedings against a person for an offence in respect of which a summons has been issued against that person under subsection (1), the court before which the proceedings are being taken may, where it convicts that person of the offence, make an order that that person pay such costs in respect of the proceedings firstmentioned in that subsection as it thinks fit.s 33: Am 2021 No 15, Sch 1[9].
33A Offences by corporations
(1) If a corporation contravenes, whether by act or omission, any provision of this Act or the regulations, each person who is a director of the corporation or who is concerned in the management of the corporation is taken to have contravened the same provision if the person knowingly authorised or permitted the contravention.(2) A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision pursuant to this section whether or not the corporation has been proceeded against or convicted under the provision.(3) Nothing in this section affects any liability imposed on a corporation for an offence committed by the corporation against this Act or the regulations.ss 33A–33D: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [62].
33B Permitting or failing to prevent commission or continuance of offence
(1) A person who owns or has the charge of an animal and who—(a) knowingly permits an offence against this Act or the regulations to be committed in respect of the animal, oris guilty of an offence against this Act.(b) fails, without reasonable excuse, to prevent the commission or continuance of such an offence,(2) A person who owns or occupies land on which an animal is located and who—(a) knowingly permits an offence against this Act or the regulations to be committed on the land in respect of the animal, oris guilty of an offence against this Act.(b) fails, without reasonable excuse, to prevent the commission or continuance of such an offence,(3) The maximum penalty for an offence against this section is the maximum penalty under this Act for the offence permitted under subsection (1) (a) or (2) (a) or not prevented under subsection (1) (b) or (2) (b).ss 33A–33D: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [62].
33C Complicity and common purpose
(1) A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission of an offence against this Act or the regulations by another person is taken to have committed that offence and is punishable accordingly.(2) For the person to be found guilty—(a) the person’s conduct must have in fact aided, abetted, counselled or procured the commission of the offence by the other person, and(b) the offence must have been committed by the other person.(3) A person cannot be found guilty of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence if, before the offence was committed, the person—(a) terminated his or her involvement, and(b) took all reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence.(4) A person may be found guilty of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of an offence even if the principal offender has not been proceeded against or convicted for the offence.ss 33A–33D: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [62].
33D Attempts
A person who attempts to commit an offence for which a penalty is provided under this Act or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable to that penalty.ss 33A–33D: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [62].
33E Penalty notices
(1) An inspector (within the meaning of Division 2 of Part 2A) may issue a penalty notice to a person if it appears to the inspector that the person has committed a penalty notice offence.(2) A penalty notice offence is an offence against this Act or the regulations that is prescribed by the regulations as a penalty notice offence.(3) The Fines Act 1996 applies to a penalty notice issued under this section.Note—The Fines Act 1996 provides that, if a person issued with a penalty notice does not wish to have the matter determined by a court, the person may pay the amount specified in the notice and is not liable to any further proceedings for the alleged offence.(4) The amount payable under a penalty notice issued under this section is the amount prescribed for the alleged offence by the regulations (not exceeding the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed for the offence by a court).(5) This section does not limit the operation of any other provision of, or made under, this or any other Act relating to proceedings that may be taken in respect of offences.s 33E: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [23]. Subst 2017 No 22, Sch 3.59.
33F Offences in respect of more than one animal
(1) In proceedings for an offence against section 5, 6, 7 or 8, an allegation may be made that the act or omission that constituted the alleged offence related to more than one animal.(2) In sentencing a person for an offence against section 5, 6, 7 or 8, a court may take into account whether the act or omission that constituted the offence related to more than one animal. However, if the person has already been prosecuted in respect of that act or omission, the court is to take into account any penalty that was imposed on the person as a result of that prosecution.s 33F: Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [23].
34 Proceedings for offences
(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be dealt with—(a) summarily before the Local Court, or(b) by the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.(2) (Repealed)(3) A court shall not convict a person of an offence against this Act or the regulations in respect of an act or omission where that, or any other, court has convicted the person of that, or any other, offence against this Act or the regulations in respect of that act or omission.(4) Despite the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 or any other Act, proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be commenced not later than 3 years after the date evidence of the alleged offence first came to the attention of an officer.(5) In any criminal proceeding for an offence against this Act or the regulations, an officer may give evidence in chief for the prosecution by reading or being led through a written statement previously made by the officer.(6) Evidence referred to in subsection (5) may not be so given unless—(a) the statement was made by the officer at the time of or soon after the occurrence of the events to which it refers, and(b) the officer signed the statement when it was made, and(c) a copy of the statement had been given to the person charged or to his or her Australian legal practitioner or legal counsel a reasonable time before the hearing of the evidence for the prosecution.(7) A reference in subsections (5) and (6) to an officer includes a reference to a person who, at the time the statement concerned was made, was an officer.s 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].
34AA Authority to prosecute
(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be instituted only by—(a) an approved charitable organisation, or(b) an inspector within the meaning of Division 2 of Part 2A, other than a police officer, or(c) a police officer, or(d) the Minister or the Secretary, or(e) a person with the written consent of the Minister or that Secretary, or(f) any other person or body prescribed by the regulations for the purpose of this section.(2) In proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations, a consent to institute the proceedings, purporting to have been signed by the Minister or the Secretary, is evidence of that consent without proof of the signature of the Minister or Secretary.s 34AA: Ins 2007 No 81, Sch 1 [1]. Am 2010 No 59, Sch 2.76 [4].
34A Guidelines relating to welfare of farm or companion animals
(1) The regulations may prescribe guidelines, or may adopt a document in the nature of guidelines or a code of practice as guidelines, relating to the welfare of species of farm or companion animals.(2) Before any regulations are made as referred to in subsection (1), the Animal Welfare Advisory Council, and representatives of any relevant livestock industry, are to be given an opportunity to review and comment on the provisions of the proposed regulation relating to the welfare of species of farm or companion animals.(3) Compliance, or failure to comply, with any guidelines prescribed or adopted by the regulations for the purposes of subsection (1) is admissible in evidence in proceedings under this Act of compliance, or failure to comply, with this Act or the regulations.(4) A document adopted as referred to in subsection (1) may be adopted wholly or in part, with or without modification and as in force at a particular time or as in force from time to time.s 34A: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [64]. Subst 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [25].
34AB (Repealed)
s 34AB: Ins 2021 No 15, Sch 1[18]. Rep 2024 No 85, Sch 1[18].
34B Approved charitable organisations
(1) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, approve of a charitable organisation for the purposes of the exercise by its employees of law enforcement powers under this Act.(2) The Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, withdraw an approval given under this section if the Minister considers that it is in the public interest to do so.(3) A charitable organisation that has been approved in accordance with this section must, within 3 months after 30 June in each year, provide the Minister with a report addressing such matters in relation to the exercise by itself or appointed officers employed by the organisation of functions under this Act as may be prescribed by the regulations.(4) In addition, a charitable organisation that has been approved in accordance with this section must, if requested by the Minister to do so, provide the Minister with a report on any matter specified by the Minister that relates to the enforcement of this Act by the organisation.(5) The Minister must give an annual report received by the Minister under subsection (3) to the Presiding Officer of each House of Parliament.(6) The Minister may, before giving the annual report to the Presiding Officers, redact any information in the report the Minister considers should not be made public.Example—personal information in the report that should not be made public(7) A copy of a report given to the Presiding Officer of a House of Parliament under subsection (5) must be laid before the House within 5 sitting days of the House after it is received by the Presiding Officer.s 34B: Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [64]. Am 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [26]; 2024 No 51, Sch 1[13]–[15].
34BA Collection, use and disclosure of information
(1) A relevant agency may collect, use or disclose information if it is reasonably necessary for the purposes of administering or enforcing this Act or the regulations.(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].
34BB Delegation 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].
34C Delegation
(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].
35 Regulations
(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, oror may do any combination of those things.(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,(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, oror by any combination of those methods.(iii) by reference to a diagram which is depicted in, and forms part of, the regulation,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].
35A Act 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].
36 Repeals 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 1 Repeals
(Section 36 (1))
Column 1 | Column 2 | |
Year and number of Act | Short title of Act | Extent of repeal |
1901, No 64 | The whole Act. | |
1928, No 54 | The whole Act. | |
1937, No 35 | So much of the Second Schedule as amended Act No 64, 1901. | |
1943, No 44 | Sections 1 (2) and (3) and 2 (1) and (3). | |
1951, No 17 | The whole Act. | |
1952, No 1 | The whole Act. | |
1953, No 35 | Sections 1 (2) and (3) and 2. | |
1967, No 91 | Sections 1 (2), 2, 3, 4 and 5 (2). | |
1973, No 45 | The whole Act. | |
1977, No 19 | So much of Schedule 1 as amended Act No 64, 1901. | |
sch 1: Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16.
Schedule 2 Savings and transitional provisions
(Section 36 (2))
Part 1 General
1 Regulations
(1) The regulations may contain provisions of a savings or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the following Acts—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 2 Provisions consequent on enactment of this Act
1A Definition
In this Part, commencement day means the day appointed and notified under section 2 (2).
2 (Repealed)
3 References 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 3 Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 1997
4 Certain 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.
5 Transitional 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 4 Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005
6 Inspectors
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).
7 Proceedings 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 5 Provision consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prosecutions) Act 2007
8 Proceedings for offences
Section 34AA does not apply to offences committed before the commencement of that section.
Part 6 Provision consequent on enactment of Police Legislation Amendment (Special Constables) Act 2013
9 Existing 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 7 Provision consequent on enactment of Local Land Services Act 2013
10 Members 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 8 Provisions consequent on enactment of Companion Animals and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018
11 Meaning of “amending Act”
In this Part—amending Act means the Companion Animals and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2018.
12 Extension 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.
13 Extension 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 9 Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021
14 Meaning of “amending Act”
In this Part—amending Act means the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2021.
15 Orders 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.
16 Interim 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 10 Provision consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Transparency and Fit and Proper Persons) Act 2024
17 Appointed 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 11 Provisions consequent on enactment of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024
18 Maximum 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].