Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - SECT 13

Baiting and luring

13. Baiting and luring



(1) A person who-

   (a)  keeps, uses or assists in the management of premises for the purpose
        of causing an animal to fight, or for the baiting or maltreating of an
        animal; or

   (b)  causes or procures the release of an animal in circumstances where it
        will or is likely to be pursued, injured or killed by a dog; or

   (c)  causes, procures or permits an animal in captivity to be injured or
        killed by a dog; or

   (d)  uses an animal as a lure or kill for the purpose of blooding
        greyhounds or in connexion with the training and racing of any
        coursing dog; or

   (e)  keeps or has the custody, care or control of an animal for use as a
        lure or kill for the purpose of blooding greyhounds or in connexion
        with the training and racing of any coursing dog-

is guilty of an offence and is liable to a penalty of not more than, in the
case of a natural person, 240 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years or, in
the case of a body corporate, 1200 penalty units.

(2) In any prosecution under subsection (1), evidence in writing by a
veterinary practitioner who is employed, or who practises on his or her own
behalf, as a veterinary pathologist that an animal was alive at the time of
its attack by a dog is prima facie evidence that the animal was alive at the
time of that attack.





(3) In any prosecution under subsection (1)(d)-

   (a)  evidence that the defendant had the custody, care or control of an
        animal which appeared to have been used as a lure or kill in the
        manner referred to in subsection (1)(d) is prima facie evidence that
        the defendant used the animal as a lure or kill in that manner; and

   (b)  it is a defence if the person charged proves that-

   (i)  the animal was used as a lure or kill in the manner referred to in
        subsection (1)(d) without that person's knowledge or consent; or

   (ii) that person took all reasonable steps to prevent the animal being used
        as a lure or kill in the manner referred to in subsection (1)(d).

(4) A person must not attend an event at which an animal is encouraged to
fight another animal.

Penalty: 120 penalty units.