Queensland Consolidated Acts

CRIMINAL CODE 1899 - SECT 446

446 Suspicion of stealing stock

(1) When any animal that is stock is suspected, on reasonable grounds, to have been stolen, any person in whose possession or custody the animal or the skin or carcass, or any part of the skin or carcass, of the animal so suspected to have been stolen, is found, is guilty of a misdemeanour, unless the person proves that the person came lawfully by the thing in question; and the person is liable to imprisonment for 5 years or to a fine of not less than 4 penalty units or, where in respect of the animal in question a value is determined in accordance with the provisions of the regulations made pursuant to section 450F , of not less than that value, whichever is the higher amount, for every animal or skin or carcass or part of skin or carcass so found.

(2) However, the fine imposed in respect of the offence shall not exceed 455 penalty units.

(3) It is a defence to a charge of the offence defined in this section to prove that the accused person came lawfully by the thing in question.