18Tail docking and castration

18 Tail docking and castration

(1)  A person who is performing a tail docking on a sheep must –

(a) if the sheep is more than 6 months old –

(i) give the sheep appropriate pain relief for the procedure; and

(ii) take all reasonable steps to prevent haemorrhaging; and

(b) leave at least one joint in the tail, after the procedure is performed, that is –

(i) protruding from the profile of the rump; and

(ii) able to be manipulated by the sheep.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units; and

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

(2)  Subregulation (1)(b) does not apply to a person performing a tail docking of a sheep if a veterinary surgeon is satisfied that the removal of all of the joints in the tail of the sheep is in the best interests of the sheep.

(3)  A person who is performing a castration on a sheep, that is more than 6 months old, must –

(a) give the sheep appropriate pain relief for the procedure; and

(b) take all reasonable steps to prevent haemorrhaging.

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units; and

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.