Domestic Animals Act 2000

This Act is the Domestic Animals Act 2000.

The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.

For example, the signpost definition ‘permit, for part 3 (Dogs and Cats)—see section 73.’ means the expression ‘permit’ is defined in section 73 and applies to part 3.

A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.

Other legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.

The Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to the following offences against this Act (see Code, pt 2.1):

 s 10A (Dog registration—compliance with renewal reminder notice)

 s 12 (Dog registration—change of owner)

 s 14 (Offence—keeping unregistered dogs etc)

 s 16 (Dog registration—change of registration details)

 s 18 (Requirement to be licensed if multiple dogs)

 s 21 (5) (Multiple dog licences—conditions)

 s 23 (Licensing of keepers of dangerous dogs)

 s 27 (Dangerous dogs in public places)

 s 28 (Signs on premises about dangerous dogs)

 s 39D (Offence—unregistered racing greyhound)

 s 39G (Day-to-day control of racing greyhounds—requirement to be licensed)

 s 41 (Prohibited areas)

 s 42 (Prohibited places)

 s 44 (Dogs in public places must be controlled)

 s 45 (Dogs on private premises to be restrained)

 s 46 (Disposal of faeces)

 s 47 (Female dogs on heat)

 s 49A (Dog attacks or harasses person or animal)

 s 50 (Dog attacks person or animal causing serious injury)

 s 50A (Dangerous dog attacks or harasses person or animal)

 s 50B (Obligations of keeper or carer if dog attacks)

 s 51A (Provoking dog to attack)

 s 53CB (Control orders—carers)

 s 53E (Offence—failure to comply with control order)

 s 56A (6) (Seizure of dogs—investigation of complaints about attacking, harassing or menacing dogs)

 s 60 (6) (Impounding of dogs seized)

 s 72 (Offence—breeding dogs or cats without licence)

 s 72I (Offence—licensee change of address)

 s 72K (Offence—breeding, selling and advertising requirements)

 s 72M (Offence—reporting on breeding of greyhounds)

 s 74 (Dogs and cats to be de-sexed if over certain age)

 s 74A (Sale of older dogs and cats not de-sexed)

 s 79 (Production of permits)

 s 84 (Identification of dogs and cats—requirement)

 s 84AF (Cat registration—compliance with renewal reminder notice)

 s 84AI (Cat registration—change of owner)

 s 84AK (Offence—keeping unregistered cats etc)

 s 84AL (Cat registration—change of registration details)

 s 84AO (Breach of cat containment requirements)

 s 84A (Multiple cat licences—requirement to be licensed)

 s 98 (Registration of accredited assistance animals)

 s 103 (Unregistered assistance animal trainers)

 s 106A (Unregistered assistance animal assessor)

 s 106E (Assistance animal allowed in public places and premises)

 s 106F (Falsely claiming animal is assistance animal)

 s 112 (7) (Issue of nuisance notices)

 s 134A (2) (Inspection of animals)

 s 142 (Dishonoured etc credit card transactions).

The chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility (including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention, recklessness and strict liability).

The Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties that are expressed in penalty units.

For this Act, the registrar in considering whether a person has failed, or is unable, to exercise responsible dog or cat management, care or control—

Part 2 Dogs

Division 2.1 Registration of dogs

If the registrar registers a dog, the registrar must record in the register the information prescribed by regulation.

The registration of a dog remains in force for 12 months unless it is sooner surrendered, cancelled or renewed.

Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units.