(1) A person must not be cruel to an animal.

Penalty: Minimum — $2 000.

Maximum — $50 000 and imprisonment for 5 years.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) a person, whether or not the person is a person in charge of the animal, is cruel to an

animal if the person —

(a) tortures, mutilates, maliciously beats or wounds, abuses, torments, or otherwise ill-treats, the animal;

(b) uses a prescribed inhumane device on the animal;

(c) intentionally or recklessly poisons the animal;

(d) does any prescribed act to, or in relation to, the animal; or

(e) in any other way causes the animal unnecessary harm.

(3) Without limiting subsection (1) a person in charge of an animal is cruel to an animal if the animal —

(a) is transported in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;

(b) is confined, restrained or caught in a manner that —

(i) is prescribed; or

(ii) causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;

(c) is worked, driven, ridden or otherwise used —

(i) when it is not fit to be so used or has been over used; or

(ii) in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;

(d) is not provided with proper and sufficient food or water;

(e) is not provided with such shelter, shade or other protection from the elements as is reasonably necessary to ensure its

welfare, safety and health;

(f) is abandoned, whether at the place where it is normally kept or elsewhere;

(g) is subjected to a prescribed surgical or similar operation, practice or activity;

(h) suffers harm which could be alleviated by the taking of reasonable steps;

(i) suffers harm as a result of a prescribed act being carried out on, or in relation to, it; or

(j) is, in any other way, caused unnecessary harm.

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