New South Wales Consolidated Acts

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1979 - SECT 12

12 Certain procedures not to be performed on animals

(1) A person shall not:

(a) dock the tail of a horse, bull, ox, bullock, steer, cow, heifer, calf or dog,

(b) crop the ears of a dog,

(c) operate upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark,

(d) remove one or more of the claws of a cat,

(e) grind, trim or clip one or more teeth of a sheep,

(f) perform a clitoridectomy on a greyhound, or

(g) fire or hot iron brand the face of an animal.

Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual.

(2) A person is not guilty of an offence against this section if the court is satisfied that the procedure comprising the alleged offence:

(a) was docking the tail of a calf less than 6 months old when the offence was alleged to have been committed, or

(b) was:

(i) docking the tail of a cow, heifer or female calf,

(ii) operating upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark,

(iii) removing one or more of the claws of a cat,

(iv) grinding, trimming or clipping one or more teeth of a sheep,

(v) performing a clitoridectomy on a greyhound, or

(vi) firing or hot iron branding the face of an animal,

by a veterinary practitioner,

and the procedure was performed in the prescribed circumstances and in accordance with any conditions specified in the regulations.

(2A) A person is not guilty of an offence against this section if the court is satisfied that the procedure comprising the alleged offence was the docking of the tail of a dog, was performed by a veterinary practitioner and was in the interests of the dog’s welfare.

(3) In this section:
"clip" the tooth of a sheep means breaking off the crown of a tooth with pliers or another tool or implement.
"dock" the tail of an animal means to remove all or part of the tail of the animal (other than a part of the tail consisting only of fur, hair, feathers or the like) whether by surgical or other means.
"grind" the tooth of a sheep means grinding down a tooth with an electric angle grinder or another tool or implement.
"trim" the tooth of a sheep means cutting off a tooth with an abrasive disc or another tool or implement.