Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT - SECT 67

(1) If an authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that -

(a) an animal has not been provided with appropriate or sufficient food or drink during the previous 24 hours;

(b) an animal is so severely injured, overworked, diseased or in such a physical condition that it is necessary for the animal to be provided with veterinary treatment; or

(c) an animal is being treated in a manner that is likely to cause it suffering,

the authorised person may take the action he or she believes is necessary to alleviate the animal's suffering.

(2) The action that may be taken under subsection (1) includes any of the following:

(a) providing the animal with food or drink;

(b) seizing the animal and removing it to a place the authorised person considers appropriate;

(c) giving a person in charge of the animal a written notice requiring the person -

(i) to provide the animal with the specified rest, food, drink, shelter or treatment that is necessary in the interests of the animal's welfare; and

(ii) if necessary - to obtain veterinarian treatment for the animal within the specified period that is reasonable in the circumstances.

(3) A person must comply with a requirement in a notice given under subsection (2)(c).

Penalty: 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.

(4) Subject to subsection (6), if an authorised person is of the opinion that -

(a) an animal is so severely injured, diseased or in such a poor physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive; and

(b) the animal -

(i) is not about to be destroyed; or

(ii) is about to be destroyed in a manner that will inflict unnecessary suffering on it,

the authorised person may destroy the animal, or cause it to be destroyed, in a manner that causes it to die quickly and without unnecessary suffering.

(5) In exercising a power under subsection (4), an authorised person may first remove the animal to a place he or she thinks is suitable for the purpose.

(6) An inspector may exercise a power under subsection (4) only with the consent of a person in charge of the animal unless -

(a) after making reasonable enquiries the inspector is unable to locate the person; or

(b) the inspector is a veterinarian.

(7) An authorised person who exercises a power under this section is entitled to be paid by the person in charge of the animal the reasonable costs incurred in exercising the power and may recover those costs in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt owed to the authorised person.