Section 4(1)(f) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1976 (WA) creates a standalone offence of subjecting any animal to unnecessary pain or suffering, not limited to animals that have been slaughtered or mutilated. In summary proceedings in WA, there is no general power to order disclosure of prosecution witness statements; the power is limited to prior inconsistent statements for cross-examination purposes. A Magistrate should not dismiss complaints for insufficient particulars without affording the prosecution an opportunity to amend.
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