New South Wales Consolidated Acts

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1979

- As at 8 February 2024 
- Act 200 of 1979 

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART 1 - PRELIMINARY

   1.      Name of Act
   2.      Commencement
   3.      Objects of Act
   4.      Definitions

   PART 2 - OFFENCES
   Note

   5.      Cruelty to animals
   6.      Aggravated cruelty to animals
   7.      Carriage and conveyance of animals
   8.      Animals to be provided with food, drink or shelter
   9.      Confined animals to be exercised
   10.     Tethering of animals
   11.     Animals not to be abandoned
   12.     Certain procedures not to be performed on animals
   12A.    Registers relating to certain procedures
   13.     Certain animals not to be ridden etc
   14.     Injuries to animals to be reported
   15.     Poisons not to be administered to animals
   16.     Certain electrical devices not to be used upon animals
   17.     Certain spurs etc or implements designed for fighting not to be kept
   18.     Animal baiting and fighting prohibited
   18A.    Bull-fighting prohibited
   19.     Trap-shooting prohibited
   19A.    Game parks prohibited
   20.     Certain animal-catching activities prohibited
   21.     Live baiting, coursing and other similar activities prohibited
   21A.    Firing prohibited
   21B.    Tail nicking prohibited
   21C.    Steeplechasing and hurdle racing prohibited
   21D.    (Repealed)
   22.     Severely injured animals not to be sold
   23.     Certain traps not to be set
   23A.    Information required when dogs or cats are advertised for sale or for giving away
   24.     Certain defences

   PART 2A - POWERS OF OFFICERS

           Division 1 - Powers of officers generally

   24A.    Officers may demand name and address
   24B.    Officer may require responsible person for vehicle to disclose identity of driver who commits offence
   24C.    Supplying officer's details and giving warnings
   24CA.   Extension of certain powers of officers
   24CB.   Officers' powers relating to animals kept by convicted persons

           Division 2 - Powers of inspectors

   24D.    Definitions and application of Division
   24E.    Power to enter land
   24F.    Search warrant
   24G.    Powers of inspectors in relation to land used for certain commercial purposes
   24H.    Powers of police officers to detain vehicle or vessel
   24I.    Powers of inspectors generally to examine animals
   24J.    Powers of inspectors in relation to care of animals
   24JA.   Powers of inspectors generally to examine advertisements
   24K.    Power of seizure of evidence of offences
   24L.    Period for search limited
   24M.    Inspectors may be assisted in exercising powers
   24N.    Notices in relation to animals
   24NA.   Power to question persons and require production of documents

   PART 2B - POWER OF SECRETARY TO AUTHORISE SEIZURE AND DISPOSAL OF STOCK ANIMALS

   24O.    Application and interpretation
   24P.    Official warning of intention to authorise seizure and disposal of stock animals
   24Q.    Seizure and disposal of stock animals
   24R.    Recovery of costs of seizure and disposal
   24S.    Purchaser acquires good title
   24T.    Stock Welfare Panels
   24U.    Exclusion of personal liability
   24V.    Powers conferred on inspectors

   PART 3 - MISCELLANEOUS

   25.     (Repealed)
   26.     Definitions
   26A.    (Repealed)
   26AA.   Powers of veterinary practitioners to destroy animals
   26B.    Power of sale-yard or abattoir managers to destroy animals
           27-27B. (Repealed)
   28.     Obstruction of persons exercising powers etc
   28A.    Offence of impersonating an authorised officer
   29.     Court may order production of animal
   29A.    False or misleading entries in registers
   29B.    False information
   29C.    Court may make order regarding care of animals
   30.     Court may order destruction of animal
   30A.    Court may order payment of care and maintenance costs by accused person
   30B.    Court may make interim disqualification order during proceedings
   31.     Court may make further orders following conviction
   31AA.   Recognition of interstate prohibition orders
   31AB.   Prohibitions for persons convicted of certain offences
   31AC.   Prohibitions for persons convicted of serious interstate animal offences
   31AD.   Certain convicted persons prohibited from breeding animals
   31A.    Sale of certain animals by charitable organisations
   32.     Sale-yard owner may recoup expenses
   32A.    Compensation not recoverable
   33.     Alternative summons
   33A.    Offences by corporations
   33B.    Permitting or failing to prevent commission or continuance of offence
   33C.    Complicity and common purpose
   33D.    Attempts
   33E.    Penalty notices
   33F.    Offences in respect of more than one animal
   34.     Proceedings for offences
   34AA.   Authority to prosecute
   34A.    Guidelines relating to welfare of farm or companion animals
   34AB.   Code of practice for breeding dogs and cats
   34B.    Approved charitable organisations
   34C.    Delegation by Secretary
   35.     Regulations
   35A.    Act binds Crown
   36.     Repeals and savings and transitional provisions
           SCHEDULE 1
           SCHEDULE 2