New South Wales Consolidated Acts

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1979 - SECT 29C

29C Court may make order regarding care of animals

(1) This section applies if:

(a) an officer has located an animal or animals that require urgent maintenance and care, and

(b) the owner of the animal or animals has died or cannot, after reasonable inquiries by the officer, be located, and

(c) so far as the officer can ascertain, after the making of reasonable inquiries, no other person is responsible for the maintenance and care of the animal or animals.

(2) An officer may apply to the court and the court may order, in circumstances to which this section applies, that the officer be permitted to enter and use the facilities of the place on which the animal or animals are located for their immediate maintenance and care, subject to such conditions (if any) that the court may specify.

(3) Before applying for an order under this section, the officer must obtain, or cause to be obtained, advice as to the appropriate care of the animal or animals:

(a) in the case of livestock-from a livestock health and pest authority or the Department of Agriculture, or

(b) in the case of other animals-from an appropriate body or person.

(4) An order under this section has effect for such period (not exceeding 30 days) that the court orders.

(5) An officer may, before the expiration of an order made under this section, apply to the court for a further order. However, the maximum duration of all orders made by the court in respect of the same animal or animals must not exceed 90 days.

(6) In this section, "facilities" includes stock-yards and other fixed improvements used for the keeping of livestock or other animals, water and watering equipment and any stock or other feed growing or stored on the place on which the animal or animals are located that is necessary and appropriate for their maintenance and care.