Dogs and cats to be de-sexed if over certain age
74 Dogs and cats to be de-sexed if over certain age
A person must not keep a dog that has not been de-sexed if the person does not hold a permit for the dog.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
A person must not keep a cat that has not been de-sexed if the person does not hold a permit for the cat.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.
This section does not apply in relation to—
a dog that is less than 6 months old or a cat that is less than 3 months old; or
a dog or cat born before 21 June 2001; or
a registered racing greyhound.
It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this section in relation to a dog or cat if—
the defendant proves that it is less than 28 days since the day the dog or cat first came into the defendant’s possession; or
the defendant proves that the defendant—
carries on the business of offering dogs or cats for sale by retail; and
is keeping the dog or cat for the purpose of offering it for sale; or
a veterinary practitioner certifies in writing that de-sexing the dog or cat would be a serious health risk to the animal.
This Act’s bill:Explanatory statementSecond reading speech
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