Queensland Consolidated Acts

ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION ACT 2001 - SECT 19

19 Unreasonable abandonment or release

(1) A person in charge of an animal must not abandon or release an animal unless the person has a reasonable excuse or the abandonment or release is authorised by law.

Penalty—

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 209A , to have also committed the offence.

(2) A person must not, unless the person has a reasonable excuse, release an animal from the custody of the person in charge of it.

Penalty—

Maximum penalty—300 penalty units or 1 year’s imprisonment.

Note—

If a corporation commits an offence against this provision, an executive officer of the corporation may be taken, under section 209A , to have also committed the offence.

(3) For subsection (1), an animal may be abandoned by a person in charge of the animal regardless of whether the animal is provided with food or water by a person who is not in charge of the animal.

Example—

a person providing food and water to a dog that has been abandoned near the person’s premises