Companion Animals Act 1998

Proceedings for an offence under this Act (other than an offence under section 16 (1AB) or (1A) or 17 (1A)) may be dealt with—

summarily before the Local Court, or

summarily before the Supreme Court in its summary jurisdiction.

An offence under section 16 (1AB) or (1A) or 17 (1A) may only be prosecuted on indictment. However, Chapter 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (which relates to the summary disposal of certain indictable offences unless an election is made by the prosecution to proceed on indictment) applies to and in respect of those offences.

If proceedings are brought in the Local Court, the maximum monetary penalty that the Local Court may impose for the offence is 200 penalty units, despite any higher maximum monetary penalty provided in respect of the offence.

Proceedings for an offence under section 16 or 17 may be brought within the period of 12 months of the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed.