17Protection of property from cats

17 Protection of property from cats

[Section 17 Substituted by No. 25 of 2020, s. 14, Applied:01 Mar 2021]

(1)  A person who owns or leases premises, or a person acting on behalf of such a person, may trap, seize or detain a cat found on the premises.

(2)  If a person sets a trap with the intention of trapping a cat in accordance with subsection (1) , the person must check the trap, and remove any animals contained in the trap, at least once within every 24-hour period after first setting the trap.

(3)  If a person sets a trap with the intention of trapping a cat in accordance with subsection (1) , and the setting of that trap results in the detention of an animal other than a cat, the person must release the animal, subject to a prohibition on releasing the animal contained in any other Act, as soon as practicable, but in any case no later than 24 hours after first setting the trap.

(4)  A person who traps, seizes or detains a cat under subsection (1) may –

(a) if the owner of the cat is known to the person, arrange for the return of the cat to the owner; or

(b) whether or not the owner of the cat is known to the person, arrange for the cat to be taken to a cat management facility; or

(c) whether or not the owner of the cat is known to the person, arrange for the cat to be taken to a person, business or organisation nominated for that purpose by a cat management facility.

(5)  A person, within 24 hours after trapping, seizing or detaining a cat under subsection (1) , must take an action under subsection (4)(a), (b) or (c) in relation to the cat.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units.