2002

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)

(Minister for Urban Services)

2002

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)

(Minister for Urban Services)

An Act to amend the Domestic Animals Act 2000, and for related purposes

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:

This Act is the Domestic Animals Amendment Act 2002.

This Act commences on the day after its notification day.

This part amends the Domestic Animals Act 2000.

(1) The keeper of a dog or carer of a dog must not, without reasonable excuse—

(a) be on private premises (other than the keeper’s address) with the dog, unless the dog is wearing its registration tag; or

(b) be in a public place with the dog, unless the dog is wearing its registration tag.

Maximum penalty: 3 penalty units.

(1A) The keeper of a dog commits an offence if—

(a) the dog is in a public place or on private premises (other than the keeper’s address); and

(b) the dog is not with a carer; and

(c) the dog is not wearing its registration tag.

Maximum penalty: 3 penalty units.

(2A) However, if the application is made after the dog was seized under division 2.7 (Seizing dogs and dealing with them) and the dog is declared to be a dangerous dog after it was seized, the registrar may approve the application only if section 62 (3), 63 (3) or 64 (3) applies to the offence for which the dog was seized.

(4A) The keeper of a dog commits an offence if the dog is on private premises and is not with a carer, unless the keeper has the consent of the occupier of the premises.

Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.

(1) or (3)

(1), (3) or (4A)

attack

attack or harass

harasses

attacks or harasses

attacked

attacked or harassed

(1) This section applies to a dog seized under section 56 (Seizure—generally) unless the dog is declared to be a dangerous dog after it was seized.

Note  Section 65 (Releasing dogs declared dangerous after seizure for offence) deals with the release of a dog declared to be dangerous after it is seized.

(2) The registrar must release the dog to a person claiming its release only if—

(a) the registrar is satisfied the person is the dog’s keeper; and

(b) the dog is registered; and

(c) if the dog was seized under section 56 (a), (b) or (c) because of an offence against this Act—subsection (3) applies to the offence; and

(d) the keeper of the dog has not relinquished ownership under section 69 (Relinquishing ownership of dogs); and

(e) any fee payable under section 144 (Determination of fees) for the release of the dog has been paid.

(3) This subsection applies to an offence if—

(a) 28 days have elapsed since the day the offence was committed and—

(i) a prosecution has not been begun for the offence; and

(ii) an infringement notice has not been served for the offence; or

(b) an infringement notice has been served for the offence and the infringement notice penalty has been paid or the notice withdrawn; or

(c) a prosecution for the offence was begun within 28 days after the day the offence was committed and—

(i) the prosecution is discontinued; or

(ii) the keeper is convicted or found guilty of the offence but is not disqualified from keeping the dog, any dog, a dog of that kind or any animal.

(1) This section applies to—

(a) a dog seized under section 57 (Seizure—dangerous dogs); or

(b) a dog seized under section 58 (Seizure—contravention of multiple dog licence) unless the dog is declared to be a dangerous dog after it was seized.

Note  Section 65 (Releasing dogs declared dangerous after seizure for offence) deals with the release of a dog declared to be dangerous after it is seized.

(2) The registrar must release the dog to a person claiming its release only if—

(a) the registrar is satisfied the person is the dog’s keeper; and

(b) the dog is registered; and

(c) if the dog was seized under section 57 (b) or (c)—a dangerous dogs licence is in force for the dog; and

(d) if the dog was seized under section 58—the keeper has any multiple dog licence needed to keep the dog; and

(e) if the dog was seized because of an offence against this Act—subsection (3) applies to the offence; and

(f) the keeper of the dog has not relinquished ownership under section 69 (Relinquishing ownership of dogs); and

(g) any fee payable under section 144 (Determination of fees) for the release of the dog has been paid.

Note  As a condition of the issue of a dangerous dogs licence, the registrar can require the keeper of the dog and the dog complete an approved course in behavioural or socialisation training for the dog.

(3) This subsection applies to an offence if—

(a) 28 days have elapsed since the day the offence was committed and—

(i) a prosecution has not been begun for the offence; and

(ii) an infringement notice has not been served for the offence; or

(b) an infringement notice has been served for the offence and the infringement notice penalty has been paid or withdrawn; or

(c) a prosecution for the offence was begun within 28 days after the day the offence was committed and—

(i) the prosecution is discontinued; or

(ii) the keeper is convicted or found guilty of the offence but is not disqualified from keeping the dog, any dog, a dog of that kind or any animal.

(1) This section applies to a dog seized under section 59 (Seizure—attacking and harassing dogs) unless the dog is declared to be a dangerous dog after it was seized.

Note  Section 65 (Releasing dogs declared dangerous after seizure for offence) deals with the release of a dog declared to be dangerous after it is seized.

(2) The registrar must release the dog to a person claiming its release only if—

(a) the registrar is satisfied the person is the dog’s keeper; and

(b) the dog is registered; and

(c) the court has not ordered the destruction of the dog under section 50 (4) (Offences of attacking or harassing); and

(d) if the dog was seized under section 59 because of an offence against this Act—subsection (3) applies to the offence; and

(e) the keeper of the dog has not relinquished ownership under section 69 (Relinquishing ownership of dogs); and

(f) any fee payable under section 144 (Determination of fees) for the release of the dog has been paid.

(3) This subsection applies to an offence if—

(a) 28 days have elapsed since the day the offence was committed and—

(i) a prosecution has not been begun for the offence; and

(ii) an infringement notice has not been served for the offence; or

(b) an infringement notice has been served for the offence and the infringement notice penalty has been paid or withdrawn; or

(c) a prosecution for the offence was begun within 28 days after the day the offence was committed and—

(i) the prosecution is discontinued; or

(ii) the keeper is convicted or found guilty of the offence but is not disqualified from keeping the dog, any dog, a dog of that kind or any animal.

(1A) This section applies to a dog seized under this division.

(a) the keeper of the animal believed to be causing the nuisance; or

(b) if the keeper cannot be identified or is not the occupier of the premises—a person who occupies the place where the nuisance exists, or from which it emanates.

the registrar

an authorised officer

(2) For subsection (1), the authorised officer may only enter premises under section 114A.

(1) This section applies if a proceeding is begun for an offence under section 110 (1) (Offence of animal nuisance).

(2) An authorised officer may enter premises where the animal nuisance exists without a warrant at any reasonable time, or if the occupier consents to the entry.

(3) An authorised officer may enter premises under subsection (2) with necessary and reasonable assistance and force.

(4) An authorised officer may, without the occupier’s consent, enter the premises where the animal nuisance exists to ask for consent to enter the premises.

(5) A police officer may help an authorised officer in exercising the authorised officer’s powers under this section if asked by the authorised officer to do so.

Note Consent to entry to premises for the Act is dealt with by s 132.

An authorised officer who enters premises under section 114A (2) may seize the animal causing the animal nuisance.

Note The power of entry is not to be exercised unless the authorised officer first shows the officer’s identity card (see s 125).

(1) This section applies if an authorised officer intends to ask the occupier of premises to consent to the authorised officer entering the premises under section 114A (2) (Entry to premises for nuisance animal) or section 128 (1) (Entry of premises—routine inspections).

(2) Before asking for the consent, the authorised officer must tell the occupier—

(a) the reason for the entry; and

(b) that the occupier is not required to consent.

(3) If the consent is given, the authorised officer may ask the occupier to sign a written acknowledgment of the consent.

(4) The acknowledgment must state—

(a) that the occupier was told—

(i) the reason for the entry; and

(ii) the occupier is not required to consent; and

(b) that the occupier gives the authorised officer consent to enter the premises and exercise powers under section 114A (2) or 128 (1); and

(c) the time and date the consent was given.

(5) A court may presume the occupier did not consent if—

(a) a question arises, in a proceeding in the court, whether the occupier consented to the authorised officer entering the premises under section 114A (2) or 128 (1); and

(b) an acknowledgment under this section for the entry is not produced in evidence; and

(c) it is not proved that the occupier consented to the entry.

This part amends the Domestic Animals Regulations 2001.

(1) A cat is to be identified by—

(a) a microchip implanted beneath the cat’s skin containing a number by which the name and address of the cat’s owner can be worked out; or

(b) a tag on the cat’s collar.

(2) A dog is to be identified by a registration tag.

(3) The particulars making up the identification of a cat are—

(a) the name and address of the cat’s keeper or carer; or

(b) a contact telephone number for the cat’s keeper or carer.

(4) The particular making up the identification of a dog is its registration number.

1 For the latest republication of amended laws, see www.legislation.act.gov.au.

2 The Legislation Act 2001, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties that are expressed in penalty units.