Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 No 200

This table of maximum penalties is populated using Lawcodes data. For more information, see Changes to Specific Penalties and Orders at the end of the introduction.

Jurisdiction

Section 34(1): Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be dealt with:

(a) 

summarily before the Local Court, or

(b) 

before the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.

Time for commencement

Section 34(4): Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may be commenced not later than 3 years after the date evidence of the alleged offence first came to the attention of an officer.

“Animal cruelty offence”

“Animal cruelty offence” is defined in s 4(1) as any offence under the Act in relation to an animal and any offence against ss 79, 80 (bestiality and attempt), s 530 (serious animal cruelty) or s 531 (killing or seriously injuring a law enforcement animal) of the Crimes Act 1900.

Orders

SECTION DESCRIPTION
26 Definition of disqualification order
29(1) Magistrate may issue a summons to produce an animal upon a complaint made on oath by officer
30(1)(c), (d) Court may order animal to be destroyed and defendant to pay costs of destruction
30A(1) Court may order payment of certain other costs
30B(1) Court may make an interim disqualification order
31 Court may order disposal of animal or make disqualification order
33 Court may issue alternative summons where person charged acted at direction of another

Search warrants

SECTION DESCRIPTION
24(F)(4) Div Pt 5 of the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002 applies to warrants issued under this section.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2012 No 408