ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1992 - SECT 15B Intensive breeding of cats or dogs

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 1992 - SECT 15B

    (1)     For this section, the Minister may determine a standard for the breeding of cats or dogs (a breeding standard ).

    (2)     A determination is a disallowable instrument.

Note     A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act

.

    (3)     A breeding standard may provide for any matter that the Minister reasonably considers is appropriate to protect the welfare, safety or health of fertile cats and dogs in relation to breeding.

Examples

1     the minimum age for a dog before first mating

2     the age at which, or number of litters after which, a dog must be retired from breeding

3     the maximum number of litters a cat may have in a 12-month period, or in her lifetime

    (4)     A person in charge of a female cat or dog commits an offence if the person allows the cat or dog to breed in a way that contravenes a breeding standard.

Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.

    (5)     Subsection (4) does not apply if the person allows the cat or dog to breed in accordance with the written approval of a veterinary surgeon.

Note     The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matter mentioned in s (5) (see Criminal Code

, s 58).

    (6)     An offence against subsection (4) is a strict liability offence.