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PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1979 - NOTES

- As at 22 October 2009 - Act 200 of 1979

Note to Part 2

Section 9 (1) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2003 makes it an offence for a person to do a restricted act of veterinary science except in certain circumstances. "Restricted act of veterinary science" is defined in section 7 of that Act.

See also:

Game and Feral Animal Control Amendment Bill 2009 [Non-government Bill: the Hon R L Brown MLC]
Animal Welfare Legislation Amendment Bill 2009
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Bill 2009

Reprint history:

Reprint No 1   9 February 1988  
Reprint No 2   11 November 1991  
Reprint No 3   3 June 1996  
Reprint No 4   13 March 2001  
Reprint No 5   7 March 2006  
Reprint No 6   7 April 2009  

Historical notes

The following abbreviations are used in the Historical notes:

Am amended LW legislation website Sch Schedule
Cl clause No number Schs Schedules
Cll clauses p page Sec section
Div Division pp pages Secs sections
Divs Divisions Reg Regulation Subdiv Subdivision
GG Government Gazette Regs Regulations Subdivs Subdivisions
Ins inserted Rep repealed Subst substituted

Table of amending instruments

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200. Assented to 21.12.1979. Date of commencement, 9.6.1981, sec 2 (2) and GG No 77 of 5.6.1981, p 2983. This Act has been amended as follows:

1984 No 153 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1984. Assented to 10.12.1984.
1985 No 38 Miscellaneous Acts (Search Warrants) Amendment Act 1985. Assented to 26.4.1985.
Date of commencement of Sch 1 (except as provided in sec 2 (3)), 28.2.1986, sec 2 (2) and GG No 29 of 14.2.1986, p 654.
No 79 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1985. Assented to 27.5.1985.
No 124 Miscellaneous Acts (Animal Research) Amendment Act 1985. Assented to 25.11.1985.
Date of commencement of Sch 1, 1.1.1991, sec 2 (2) and GG No 82 of 29.6.1990, p 5380.
No 130 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Further Amendment) Act 1985. Assented to 25.11.1985.
1986 No 56 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Prescribed Defences) Amendment Act 1986. Assented to 15.5.1986.
1987 No 160 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act 1987. Assented to 18.11.1987.
Date of commencement, 18.12.1987, sec 2 (2) and GG No 193 of 18.12.1987, p 6942.
1988 No 20 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1988. Assented to 28.6.1988.
Date of commencement of Sch 15, assent, sec 2 (1).
No 92 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1988. Assented to 19.12.1988.
Date of commencement of Sch 17, 1.9.1989, sec 2 (3) and GG No 92 of 1.9.1989, p 6366.
1990 No 46 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1990. Assented to 22.6.1990.
Date of commencement of the provision of Sch 1 relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, assent, sec 2.
1991 No 69 Charitable Fundraising Act 1991. Assented to 17.12.1991.
Date of commencement, 1.9.1993, sec 2 and GG No 91 of 20.8.1993, p 4619.
No 92 Search Warrants (Amendment) Act 1991. Assented to 17.12.1991.
Date of commencement, 20.9.1992, sec 2 and GG No 116 of 18.9.1992, p 6837.
1992 No 112 Statute Law (Penalties) Act 1992. Assented to 8.12.1992.
Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.
1994 No 95 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1994. Assented to 12.12.1994.
Date of commencement of the provisions of Sch 1 relating to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979, assent, Sch 1.
1996 No 121 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1996. Assented to 3.12.1996.
Date of commencement of Sch 3, 3 months after assent, sec 2 (3).
1997 No 25 Animal Research Amendment Act 1997. Assented to 25.6.1997.
Date of commencement of Sch 2, 12.7.1999, sec 2 and GG No 79 of 9.7.1999, p 4813.
No 83 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 1997. Assented to 10.7.1997.
Date of commencement (except Sch 1 [5], so much of Sch 1 [12] as would insert sec 8 (3), Sch 1 [29] [30], so much of Sch 1 [35] as would insert sec 21C, Sch 1 [46]-[49] and so much of Sch 1 [64] as would insert sec 34A), 1.2.1998, sec 2 and GG No 7 of 16.1.1998, p 281; date of commencement of Sch 1 [5], so much of Sch 1 [12] as would insert sec 8 (3), Sch 1 [29] [30], so much of Sch 1 [35] as would insert sec 21C, Sch 1 [46]-[49] and so much of Sch 1 [64] as would insert sec 34A, 21.7.2000, sec 2 and GG No 93 of 21.7.2000, p 6458.
2001 No 112 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2001. Assented to 14.12.2001.
Date of commencement of Sch 2.28, assent, sec 2 (2).
2002 No 103 Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002. Assented to 29.11.2002.
Date of commencement of Sch 4, 1.12.2005, sec 2 and GG No 45 of 15.4.2005, p 1356. Amended by Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005 No 50. Assented to 27.6.2005. Date of commencement of Sch 2.2, 25.11.2005, sec 2 (2) and GG No 142 of 25.11.2005, p 9654.
2003 No 54 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Penalties) Act 2003. Assented to 23.10.2003.
Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.
No 87 Veterinary Practice Act 2003. Assented to 5.12.2003.
Date of commencement of Sch 3.20, 1.9.2006, sec 2 (1) and GG No 111 of 1.9.2006, p 7064. The amendment made by Sch 3.20 [2] (to the extent that it amended sec 25 (1) (a) (ii)) was without effect as the provision amended was repealed by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005.
2004 No 24 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Tail Docking) Act 2004. Assented to 16.4.2004.
Date of commencement, 1.6.2004, sec 2 and GG No 91 of 28.5.2004, p 3222.
2005 No 50 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Act 2005. Assented to 27.6.2005.
Date of commencement of Sch 1 [1]-[6] [8]-[13] [18] [19] [21] and [24]-[28], assent, sec 2 (1); date of commencement of Schs 1 [7] [14]-[17] [20] [22] and [23], 25.11.2005, sec 2 (2) and GG No 142 of 25.11.2005, p 9654; date of commencement of Sch 2.3 [1], 1.9.2006, sec 2 (3) and GG No 111 of 1.9.2006, p 7064; date of commencement of Sch 2.3 [2], 1.9.2006, sec 2 (4) and GG No 111 of 1.9.2006, p 7064.
No 101 Companion Animals Amendment Act 2005. Assented to 28.11.2005.
Date of commencement of sec 4, 13.1.2006, sec 2 and GG No 7 of 13.1.2006, p 73.
2006 No 94 Police Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2006. Assented to 22.11.2006.
Date of commencement of Sch 3.27, 1.2.2007, sec 2 and GG No 22 of 1.2.2007, p 575.
No 120 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 2006. Assented to 4.12.2006.
Date of commencement of Sch 2, assent, sec 2 (2).
2007 No 27 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007. Assented to 4.7.2007.
Date of commencement of Sch 1.43, assent, sec 2 (2).
No 81 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Prosecutions) Act 2007. Assented to 7.12.2007.
Date of commencement, 1.1.2008, sec 2.
No 94 Miscellaneous Acts (Local Court) Amendment Act 2007. Assented to 13.12.2007.
Date of commencement of Schs 1.79, 2 and 4, 6.7.2009, sec 2 and 2009 (314) LW 3.7.2009.
2008 No 112 Rural Lands Protection Amendment Act 2008. Assented to 10.12.2008.
Date of commencement of Sch 6.24, 1.1.2009, sec 2 (1).
This Act has also been amended pursuant to an order under secs 9A and 9B of the Reprints Act 1972 No 48. Order dated 13.11.1985 and published in GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008.

Table of amendments

No reference is made to certain amendments made by Schedule 3 (amendments replacing gender-specific language) to the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act (No 2) 1996.

Sec 3 Rep GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008. Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [1].
Sec 4 Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (1); 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (1); GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (1); 1988 No 20, Sch 15 (1); 1991 No 69, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [2]-[5]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [1]-[3]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [1]-[4]; 2007 No 94, Sch 2.
Part 2, note Ins 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [4].
Sec 5 Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (2). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 6 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (1); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [7]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [1]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].
Sec 7 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (3); 1988 No 92, Sch 17 (1); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [8].
Sec 8 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [9]-[12]; 2001 No 112, Sch 2.28; 2008 No 112, Sch 6.24.
Sec 9 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [13]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].
Sec 10 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (2); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [14]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [5] [6]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].
Sec 11 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (3); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 12 Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (6), 2 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [15]-[22]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [1]-[3]; 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73; 2007 No 27, Sch 1.43.
Sec 12A Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (7). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [23]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [7].
Sec 13 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (5); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 14 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (6); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [24].
Sec 15 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (7); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [25]-[28]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [2].
Sec 16 Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (8). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [29] [30].
Sec 17 Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (9), 2 (8). Subst 1988 No 92, Sch 17 (2). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 18 Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (2). Subst 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (10). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [31].
Sec 18A Ins 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (3). Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (9); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 19 Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (10); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 19A Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (11). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6].
Sec 20 Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (11); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [32].
Sec 21 Am 1985 No 79, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (12); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [33]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [3]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [8] [9].
Sec 21A Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [34].
Secs 21B, 21C Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35].
Sec 21D Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [35]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [10].
Sec 22 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (13); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [36]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].
Sec 23 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (14); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [6] [37].
Sec 24 Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16; 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (2); 1986 No 56, sec 2; 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (12); 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [38]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [4]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [11]-[13]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].
Part 2A Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Part 2A, Div 1 Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Secs 24A-24C Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Sec 24CA Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 2.3 [1].
Part 2A, Div 2 Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Secs 24D, 24E Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Sec 24F Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2002 No 103, Sch 4.71 [1]-[3] (subst 2005 No 50, Sch 2.2).
Sec 24G Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73.
Secs 24H, 24I Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Sec 24J Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14]. Am 2006 No 94, Sch 3.27; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [1].
Secs 24K-24N Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [14].
Sec 25 Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (3); 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (13); 1988 No 20, Sch 15 (2); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1994 No 95, Sch 1; 1997 No 25, Sch 2 [1] [2]; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [39]-[41]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].
Sec 26 Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (4); 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (14); 1994 No 95, Sch 1; 1997 No 25, Sch 2 [3] [4]; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [42]-[49]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].
Sec 26A Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [50]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].
Sec 26AA (previously sec 26A) Ins 1985 No 130, Sch 1 (1). Renumbered 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [50]. Am 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [2].
Sec 26B Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [51].
Sec 27 Subst 1985 No 38, Sch 1. Am 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (15); 1991 No 92, Sch 2. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].
Sec 27A Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (16). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [52]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [15].
Sec 27B Ins 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [5]. Rep 2005 No 50, Sch 2.3 [2].
Sec 28 Am 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (15); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [53].
Sec 28A Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [16].
Sec 29 Am GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1987 No 160, Sch 2 (16); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [54].
Sec 29A Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (17). Am 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [55].
Sec 29B Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [56].
Sec 29C Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [57]. Am 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2]; 2008 No 112, Sch 6.24.
Sec 30 Am 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2] [3].
Sec 30A Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (18). Am 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [17]; 2007 No 94, Sch 1.79 [2] [3].
Sec 31 Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (19), 2 (17); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [58] [59]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [18]-[20].
Sec 31A Ins 1987 No 160, Sch 1 (20). Am 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [60]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [21]; 2005 No 101, sec 4.
Sec 32A Ins 1985 No 130, Sch 1 (2). Am 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [61]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [22].
Secs 33A-33D Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [62].
Secs 33E, 33F Ins 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [23].
Sec 34 Am GG No 155 of 15.11.1985, p 6008; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [63]; 2003 No 54, Sch 1 [4]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [24]; 2007 No 94, Schs 2, 4.
Sec 34AA Ins 2007 No 81, Sch 1 [1].
Sec 34A Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [64]. Subst 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [25].
Sec 34B Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [64]. Am 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [26].
Sec 35 Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (21), 2 (18); 1990 No 46, Sch 1; 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [65]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 [6].
Sec 35A Ins 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [66].
Sch 1 Am 1984 No 153, Sch 16.
Sch 2 Am 1985 No 124, Sch 1 (5); 1997 No 83, Sch 1 [67]-[71]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 [5]; 2005 No 50, Sch 1 [27] [28]; 2007 No 81, Sch 1 [2] [3].