Animal Welfare Act 1999

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 is a piece of legislation which aims to ensure every animal is provided with care and the appropriate conduct.

The definition of animal has changed significantly to include most animals capable of feeling pain and applies to all animals whether domesticated of wild. The Act excludes shellfish and insects.

The Act has adopted a three tier approach to Animal Welfare:

1 - Core obligations of people are set out in part 1 and 2. Other parts of the Act have very specific purposes.

2 - Codes of Welfare are used to promote appropriate behaviour, establish minimum standards and promote best practice.

3 - Regulations are generally confined to administrative details

Part two of the Act provides for what is known internationally as the 'five freedoms'

• Sufficient food and water
• Adequate shelter
• The opportunity to display normal patterns of behaviour
• Appropriate physical handling and
• Protection from and rapid diagnosis of, injury and disease

Section 10 and 11 of the Act set out two key obligations:

• Meet physical, health and behvioural needs of animals
• Alleviate any unreasonable or unecessary pain or distress

The Act has the provision to inflict heavy penalties, the maximum being $50,000 and/or 3 year imprisonment where a person is found guilty of Wilful Ill-treatment of an animal in such a way where the animal is permanently disabled or the animal dies.