|
|  | |
Animal Welfare
Acts & Regulations
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the documents below. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link)
Please note that while we endeavor to ensure the latest version of the legislation is posted above we cannot guarantee this, to ensure you have the most recent version visit www.legislation.vic.gov.au (external link) and check under "Victorian Law Today"
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 - Applicable Organisations
The Minister for Agriculture may declare certain organisations to be 'applicable organisations'. Such organisations produce an annual report and have a code of ethics that requires responsible pet ownership in compliance with the Act and its related codes of practice. It is expected that the organisation will take disciplinary action against members who do not comply with the organisation's code. This recognition also means that they are an organisation with high standards of responsible pet ownership to whom the community can look to when buying a pet or when seeking advice on care of a pet.
Members of applicable organisations may receive a reduced council registration fee for their pet's annual registration.
Applicable Organisations for 2008
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Regulations 2005 - Approved Obedience Training Organisations
The following organisations have been approved by the Minister for Agriculture in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 49 of the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Regulations 2005
Approved Obedience Training Organisations for 2008
The above organisations are approved on an annual basis by the Minister and are required to produce an annual report and have a code of ethics that promotes responsible pet ownership in compliance with the Act and its related codes of practice. It is expected that the organisation will take disciplinary action against members who do not comply with the organisation's code
As an approved obedience training organisation the Minister may approve an assessment program if the organisation provides assesses a dog in the following skills:
- heeling or walking with handler
- sociability with other dogs
- staying on command (known as the stay test)
- coming to handler on command (known as a recall test)
- absence of aggression
For the purpose of the Schedule of the Act, dogs that have undergone obedience training which comply with the Regulations will receive a reduced registration fee with their Council.
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Regulations 2005 - Qualified Obedience Trainer
A qualified trainer is a person who is a current member of one of the organisation approved by the Minister (listed above). The trainer must have completed, to the satisfaction of that organisation, a training course that has been approved by the Minister that is administered by that organisation.
The Minster may approve a training course if it provides for:
- training in appropriate equipment used to train dogs
- practical obedience training of dogs
- a written or oral examination on the theory of dog training
- a practical examination of a person’s dog training skills
- a probationary or learning period of at least 25 hours in which the trainee is under the supervision of a qualified dog trainer
Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994 - Governing Orders
The Governor in Council may make Orders by publishing in the Government Gazette exemptions of any animal or class of animal to be exempt from any or all of the provisions of the Act. The following are the published Orders currently in place
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the documents below. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link)
| Exemption Order for owners of racing Greyhounds exempting these dogs from the requirement to register racing Greyhounds with Council | |
| Exemption Order for Greyhound Adoption Dogs exempting these dogs from the requirement to wear muzzles in public places | |
| Notice of Declaration of Applicable Organisations | |
The Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries has the power to require certain experience or qualifications to provide services under the Act. The following are the published prescribed requirements currently in place
You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the documents below. A free copy can be downloaded from Adobe Acrobat (external link)
| Notice of prescribed qualifications for non-Council emplyees to be Authorised Officers | |
| Approved qualifications for people to become Authorised Impanters to implant microchips into dogs and cats | |
Page Top
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - Governing Orders
| Areas where large leghold traps may be used | |
| Recognition of interstate court bans on animal ownership | |
Page Top
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - Approved Hunting Organisations
Approved Hunting Organisations:
The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals in Hunting defines an approved organisation as one that promotes ethical hunting and compliance of members with the code by:
- Developing hunter education and proficiency testing programs and encouraging members to participate in these programs
- Using practice ranges so that members may use simulated targets to develop proficiency. New members or novices should practice before using firearms or bows in hunting
- Appointing sufficient numbers of experienced members as field officers so that the hunting activities of members can be adequately assessed
- Providing an annual report of the hunting activities of members (and the registration of hounds, if applicable) to the Bureau of Animal Welfare
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 commenced on 16 December 2008 replacing the old regulations which sunset on that date. All regulations sunset after 10 years and must be replaced.
The new regulations introduce a number of new provisions and amendment of existing provisions. A summary of the key changes is given below:
- changes to the way rodeos are licensed and regulated
- specification of traps that can be sold, set or used in Victoria
- new and amended regulations concerning the use of electric shock devices on animals
- introduction of new offences that protect the welfare of animals
- changes to the requirements for scientific establishments.
In addition a new version of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act also commenced on 16 December 2008 which includes updated provisions relating to traps and rodeos.
Summary of key changes in Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 can be downloaded from the following link:
Key changes summary (PDF 124KB)
The notice of decision for the making of these regulations can be downloaded from the following link:
Notice of Decision (PDF 273KB)
Electronic collars
A copy of the information sheets detailing the legislative requirements can be downloaded via these links
Factsheet 1: Electronic Collars - Anti-bark and Remote Training collars (PDF 40KB)
Factsheet 2: Electronic Collars - Containment systems (PDF 40KB)
Factsheet 3: Electronic Collars - Conditions for sellers & hirers (PDF 40KB)
These information sheets have been developed for sellers and hirers of authorised electronic collars to provide to those purchasing or hiring these collars to enable them to meet their requirements for notification under regulation 24(4).
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 - Governing Orders
| Period animal may be left alive in leghold traps in certain circumstances (Expires 16 Dec 2009) | |
| Conditions on use of glue traps by commercial pest control operators (Expires 1 Jan 2010) | |
|
Page Top
|
