New South Wales Consolidated Acts

COMPANION ANIMALS ACT 1998 - SECT 8

8 Identification required from 12 weeks of age and before sale

(1) A companion animal must be identified as required by the regulations from the time the animal is 12 weeks old.

(2) A companion animal must not be sold unless it has been identified as required by the regulations (even if it is less than 12 weeks old when it is sold).

(3) The owner of an animal is guilty of an offence if it is not identified in accordance with subsection (1).

: Maximum penalty--

(a) 8 penalty units except in the case of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog, or

(b) 50 penalty units in the case of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog.

(4) A person who sells an animal in contravention of subsection (2) is guilty of an offence.

: Maximum penalty--

(a) 8 penalty units except in the case of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog, or

(b) 50 penalty units in the case of a dangerous, menacing or restricted dog.

(5) The regulations may change the age from which a companion animal is required to be identified under subsection (1) from 12 weeks to any other age (either generally for all companion animals or for a particular kind or class of companion animal).

Note : The term "sell" extends to the transfer of ownership by any means, including by gift. This section requires an animal to be identified before it is sold no matter what the age of the animal when it is sold.