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ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2002 - SECT 19

ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2002 - SECT 19

19 .         Cruelty to animals

        (1)         A person must not be cruel to an animal.

        Penalty:         Minimum — $2 000.

                Maximum — $50 000 and imprisonment for 5 years.

        (2)         Without limiting subsection (1) a person, whether or not the person is a person in charge of the animal, is cruel to an animal if the person —

            (a)         tortures, mutilates, maliciously beats or wounds, abuses, torments, or otherwise ill-treats, the animal; or

            (b)         uses a prescribed inhumane device on the animal; or

            (c)         intentionally or recklessly poisons the animal; or

            (d)         does any prescribed act to, or in relation to, the animal; or

            (e)         in any other way causes the animal unnecessary harm.

        (3)         Without limiting subsection (1) a person in charge of an animal is cruel to an animal if the animal —

            (a)         is transported in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm; or

            (b)         is confined, restrained or caught in a manner that —

                  (i)         is prescribed; or

                  (ii)         causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;

                or

            (c)         is worked, driven, ridden or otherwise used —

                  (i)         when it is not fit to be so used or has been over used; or

                  (ii)         in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;

                or

            (d)         is not provided with proper and sufficient food or water; or

            (e)         is not provided with such shelter, shade or other protection from the elements as is reasonably necessary to ensure its welfare, safety and health; or

            (f)         is abandoned, whether at the place where it is normally kept or elsewhere; or

            (g)         is subjected to a prescribed surgical or similar operation, practice or activity; or

            (h)         suffers harm which could be alleviated by the taking of reasonable steps; or

                  (i)         suffers harm as a result of a prescribed act being carried out on, or in relation to, it; or

            (j)         is, in any other way, caused unnecessary harm.