Version incorporating amendments as at
22 October 2025
table of provisions
Section Page
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1 Purposes 1
2 Commencement 1
3 Definitions 2
4 Act to bind Crown 6
Part 2—Impounding of livestock 7
Division 1—Powers and duties relating to impounding and release of livestock 7
5 Power to impound livestock found trespassing 7
5A Power to enter land or building and impound abandoned livestock 8
5B Power to enter land or building and impound inadequately confined livestock 9
6 General duty of persons who impound livestock 10
7 Entitlement to reimbursement of charges 11
8 Duties of authorised officer of council 11
8A Notice of seizure 12
9 Duties of owners and occupiers of land 13
10 Owners and occupiers of land to deliver livestock to pound 14
11 Procedure where owner claims livestock from owner or occupier of land 14
12 Duties of authorised officer who impounds livestock on Crown land 15
13 Duties of authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning 15
13A Duties of person authorised by relevant corporation 16
14 Records to be kept by councils 16
15 Duties of councils to notify owners 16
16 Release of livestock from pound 17
Division 2—Powers relating to trespassing or inadequately confined livestock 18
16A Power to serve notice objecting to the trespassing of livestock 18
16B Power to serve notice on owner regarding confinement of livestock 19
Part 3—Disposal or destruction of livestock 21
17 Holding period for impounded livestock 21
17A Livestock found abandoned to be held for 14 days 22
18 Sale of unclaimed livestock 22
19 Public notice of sale 23
20 Application of proceeds of sale 24
21 Disposal of livestock 24
22 Power of authorised officer of council to destroy impounded livestock in certain circumstances 25
23 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 not affected 26
24 Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 not affected 26
Part 3A—Lien over, and retention and sale of, agisted horses 27
Section 1 - Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 - Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 | Zoe
24A Application of Part 27
24B Person owed money may create lien over horse 27
24C Extinguishment of lien 27
24D Right of owner to return of horse 28
24E Lien holder may dispose of horse if default not rectified 29
24F Default notice 29
24G When lien is created 31
24H Sale of unclaimed horse by lien holder 31
24I Passing of property on sale of horse 32
24J Offence to remove or retain custody of horse subject to lien 32
Part 4—Offences relating to livestock 34
25 Offences relating to livestock 34
25A Offence if livestock trespass after service of notice under section 16A 34
25B Offence if non-compliance with notice served under section 16B 35
Part 5—Court proceedings concerning impounded livestock 36
26 Proceedings in the Magistrates' Court 36
27 Notice of intention to bring proceedings 36
28 Holding of impounded livestock 37
29 Orders court may make 37
Part 5A—General and enforcement 39
Division 1—General 39
30 Recovery of outstanding charges owing to council 39
31 Recovery of outstanding charges owing to persons other than a council 39
32 Compensation under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 40
33 Application of money recovered under this Act 40
33A Power to file charge-sheets under this Act 40
Division 2—Infringement notices 41
33B Power to serve infringement notices 41
33C Infringement offence 41
33D Infringement penalty 41
Part 6—Regulations 42
34 Regulations 42
Endnotes 44
1 General information 44
2 Table of Amendments 46
3 Explanatory details 49
Version No.041
Impounding of Livestock Act 1994
No. 89 of 1994
Version incorporating amendments as at
22 October 2025
The Parliament of Victoria enacts as follows:
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Purposes
The purposes of this Act are to—
S. 1(a) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 45.
(a) provide for the impounding of livestock that has been abandoned or found trespassing on any land or roads;
(b) regulate the impounding, care, release, disposal or destruction of impounded livestock;
S. 1(ba) inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 44.
(ba) provide for matters relating to the agistment of horses;
(c) repeal the Pounds Act 1958 and consequentially amend various other Acts;
(d) amend the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, the Forests Act 1958, the Land Act 1958, the National Parks Act 1975 and the Wildlife Act 1975.
2 Commencement
This Act comes into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
S. 3 amended by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.2) (ILA s. 39B(1)).
3 Definitions
(1) In this Act—
authorised officer means—
(a) an authorised officer within the meaning of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987; or
(b) a person or class of persons prescribed to be an authorised officer under this Act;
authorised officer of a council means an authorised officer appointed under section 224 of the Local Government Act 1989;
S. 3(1) def. of authorised officer of the Department of Transport inserted by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.1(b)), amended as authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning by No. 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.1).
authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning means an employee in the Department of Transport and Planning authorised under subsection (2);
S. 3(1) def. of authorised person substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 46(1)(b).
authorised person means a person authorised under section 5 to impound livestock found trespassing;
charge means a sum payable under section 7 and includes—
(a) an impounding charge, being an amount not exceeding—
(i) the reasonable expenses actually incurred in providing impounded livestock with food, water and veterinary care; and
(ii) the reasonable cost of rectifying or compensating for any loss or damage which can be attributed to the trespassing of the livestock; and
(b) a disposal charge being an amount not exceeding the reasonable expenses actually incurred in the disposal or destruction of impounded livestock, including reasonable costs associated with advertising, the conduct of public auctions or the public tender process and the disposal of carcasses; and
(c) a transport charge being an amount not exceeding—
(i) the reasonable costs incurred in capturing trespassing livestock; and
(ii) the reasonable expenses actually incurred in walking or transporting impounded livestock to a pound or the address of the owner of the livestock or to a market or saleyard;
S. 3(1) def. of council amended by No. 9/2020 s. 390(Sch. 1 item 55.1).
council means a council within the meaning of section 3 of the Local Government Act 2020;
Crown land has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987;
S. 3(1) def. of declared road repealed by No. 12/2004 s. 159(a).
S. 3(1) def. of Department inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 46(1)(a), amended by Nos 70/2013 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 24), 41/2025 s. 4(Sch. 2 item 17).
Department means the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action;
S. 3(1) def. of impound substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 46(1)(c).
impound in relation to livestock, means the seizing or taking possession of that livestock and includes the holding of that livestock until the livestock is released or disposed of in accordance with this Act;
S. 3(1) def. of inspector of stock substituted by No. 115/1994 s. 142(Sch. 2 item 4.1) (as amended by No. 73/1996 s. 48(f)(i)).
inspector of stock means an inspector of livestock appointed under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994;
S. 3(1) def. of livestock amended by No. 65/2007 s. 46(2).
livestock means an animal (including a bird) of any species used in connection with primary production or kept or used for recreational purposes or for the purposes of recreational sport, other than a dog or cat;
S. 3(1) def. of notice of seizure inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 46(1)(a).
notice of seizure means a notice under section 8A;
occupier includes—
(a) a person who manages any land on behalf of the land's owner or occupier; and
(b) a person who is responsible for the care and control of any land; and
(c) a lessee or licensee of any land;
S. 3(1) def. of officer of the Roads Corporation amended by No. 37/1996 s. 12, repealed by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.1(a)).
owner of livestock means—
(a) a person who is entitled to legal or equitable possession of livestock whether solely or jointly; or
(b) a person who has custody of livestock on behalf of a person referred to in paragraph (a);
pound means a facility or area established by a council or group of councils for the impounding of livestock;
S. 3(1) def. of public notice substituted by No. 9/2020 s. 390(Sch. 1 item 55.2).
public notice means a notice published in a newspaper generally circulating in the municipal district of the council;
S. 3(1) def. of road inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 46(1)(a).
road has the same meaning as it has in section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 1989;
S. 3(1) def. of Secretary inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 46(1)(a).
Secretary means the person who is, for the time being, the Department Head (within the meaning of the Public Administration Act 2004) of the Department;
trespassing includes wandering without effective control or being at large.
S. 3(2) inserted by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.2), amended by No. 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.2).
(2) The Head, Transport for Victoria may, in writing, authorise an employee in the Department of Transport and Planning or an employee in that Department of a specified class for the purposes of the definition of authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning in subsection (1).
4 Act to bind Crown
This Act binds the Crown not only in the right of Victoria, but also, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.
Part 2—Impounding of livestock
Pt 2 Div. 1 (Heading) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 47.
Division 1—Powers and duties relating to impounding and release of livestock
S. 5 (Heading) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 48.
5 Power to impound livestock found trespassing
(1) An authorised person may impound livestock found trespassing.
(2) The following are authorised persons—
(a) an authorised officer of a council if the livestock are trespassing on land vested in or under the care and management of that council;
(b) an owner or occupier of any land if the livestock are trespassing on that land or on a road adjoining that land;
S. 5(2)(c) amended by Nos 12/2004 s. 159(b), 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.3), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.3).
(c) an authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning if the livestock are trespassing on or near a freeway or an arterial road within the meaning of the Road Management Act 2004;
(d) an authorised officer if the livestock are trespassing on Crown land;
S. 5(2)(e) inserted by No. 102/1998 s. 42.
(e) in the case of the Link road or the Extension road within the meaning of the Melbourne City Link Act 1995, a person authorised by the relevant corporation within the meaning of that Act if the livestock are trespassing on or near that road.
(3) Despite subsection (2), for the purposes of impounding livestock, an authorised officer of a council may—
(a) enter onto any land at the request of the owner or occupier; or
(b) enter onto Crown land at the request of an authorised officer.
S. 5A inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 49.
5A Power to enter land or building and impound abandoned livestock
S. 5A(1) amended by No. 60/2012 s. 3.
(1) An authorised officer of a council, with any assistance that is necessary, may enter any land or building (excluding any building occupied as a residence) in the municipal district of that council at the request of the owner if he or she reasonably suspects that there is abandoned livestock in or on the land or building.
S. 5A(2) amended by No. 60/2012 s. 72(1).
(2) An authorised officer of a council who enters land or a building under subsection (1)—
(a) may impound any livestock in or on the land or building that he or she reasonably believes have been abandoned; and
(b) must deliver the livestock to a pound.
(3) An authorised officer of a council who impounds livestock under this section must fix a notice of seizure to the building or to the entry gate of the land at the time of the impounding so that it is visible to persons wishing to enter the property.
(4) This section does not apply in respect of a horse that is the subject of a lien under Part 3A.
S. 5B inserted by No. 60/2012 s. 4.
5B Power to enter land or building and impound inadequately confined livestock
(1) An authorised officer of a council, with any assistance that is necessary, may enter any land or building (excluding any building occupied as a residence) in the municipal district of that council if the officer reasonably believes that there are livestock that are not adequately confined on the land or in the building and that either of the circumstances set out in subsection (4) applies.
(2) An authorised officer of a council must not exercise a power under this section except between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. if the reasonable belief of the officer referred to in subsection (1) relates only to the circumstances set out in subsection (4)(b).
(3) An authorised officer of a council who enters any land or building under subsection (1) at which the owner or occupier of the land or building is present must take all reasonable steps to inform the owner or occupier of the purpose of the entry.
(4) If an authorised officer of a council enters land or a building under subsection (1) and finds livestock that are not adequately confined on the land or in the building, the officer may impound the livestock if the officer is satisfied that—
(a) if the livestock were to wander from the land or building—
(i) the welfare of the livestock or other livestock would be at risk; or
(ii) there would be a risk to public safety; or
(b) the livestock are the subject of a notice served on a person under section 16B requiring the person to take measures to adequately confine livestock on the land or in the building and the person has not taken those measures within the time specified in the notice.
(5) If an authorised officer of a council impounds any livestock under subsection (4), the officer must deliver the livestock to a pound.
(6) If an authorised officer of a council exercises a power of entry under this section without the owner or occupier of the land or building being present, the officer must fix a notice to the building or to the entry gate of the land setting out—
(a) the time of entry; and
(b) the purpose of entry; and
(c) the number and description of any livestock impounded; and
(d) the time of departure; and
(e) the procedure for contacting the authorised officer of the council for further details of the entry and the impoundment of any livestock.
6 General duty of persons who impound livestock
S. 6(1) amended by Nos 65/2007 s. 50(a), 60/2012 s. 5.
(1) A person who has impounded livestock under section 5, 5A or 5B must take all steps that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that the livestock are—
(a) provided with adequate food, water and veterinary care; and
(b) kept securely in a well-drained place; and
(c) maintained in a clean condition; and
(d) provided with adequate shelter for the climatic conditions; and
(e) kept separately from other livestock if—
(i) the impounded livestock are or appear to be diseased; or
(ii) the other livestock are or appear to be diseased; or
S. 6(1)(e)(iii) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 50(b).
(iii) the person reasonably believes that physical injury is likely to be caused to any of the impounded livestock or to any other livestock.
20 penalty units.
(2) Despite subsection (1), livestock may be destroyed if the circumstances set out in section 22(1) apply.
S. 7 substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 51, amended by No. 60/2012 s. 6.
7 Entitlement to reimbursement of charges
A person who has impounded livestock under section 5, 5A or 5B—
(a) is entitled to payment from the owner of the livestock of charges relating to the impounding of livestock; and
(b) may recover those charges from the owner of the livestock as a civil debt recoverable summarily in a court of competent jurisdiction.
8 Duties of authorised officer of council
(1) As soon as possible after impounding livestock, an authorised officer of a council must—
(a) deliver the livestock to—
(i) the nearest pound operated or used by that council; or
(ii) a pound operated by another council if the relevant council has an agreement to use that pound with that other council; or
(iii) any land if the authorised officer of a council has obtained the permission of the owner or occupier of that land to use it.
S. 8(2) substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 52, amended by No. 60/2012 s. 8.
(2) As soon as possible after impounding livestock under section 5, 5A or 5B, or receiving impounded livestock from an authorised person, an authorised officer of a council must—
(a) take reasonable steps to ascertain the owner of the livestock including scanning the livestock for any permanent identification device and checking for any other identification marker; and
(b) if the owner of the livestock is known or ascertained, serve a notice of seizure on the owner.
S. 8A inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 53.
8A Notice of seizure
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a notice of seizure is a notice that sets out the following—
(a) details of the impounded livestock including a description of the livestock;
(b) the contact details of the authorised officer of the council who impounded or received the impounded livestock;
(c) the date of impounding of the livestock;
(d) the charges payable in respect of the impounding;
(e) that the livestock may be sold or disposed of unless the charges for impounding are paid and the livestock claimed;
S. 8A(1)(f) amended by No. 60/2012 s. 7(1).
(f) the details of the relevant powers under this Act relating to the release and disposal of livestock including the number of days that a council must hold impounded livestock before the council disposes of the livestock in accordance with Part 3;
(g) the effect of sections 26 and 27 of this Act.
S. 8A(2) amended by No. 60/2012 s. 7(2).
(2) A notice of seizure must be served personally on the owner of the impounded livestock or by registered post to the last known address of the owner.
9 Duties of owners and occupiers of land
S. 9(1) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 54.
(1) As soon as possible after impounding livestock under section 5, an owner or occupier of land must—
(a) deliver the livestock to the nearest convenient pound; or
(b) deliver the livestock to the owner of the livestock if he or she knows the identity of the owner; or
(c) subject to this section and section 10, keep the livestock on his or her land in accordance with section 6.
5 penalty units.
(2) If the owner or occupier knows the identity of the owner of the livestock which he or she has impounded, he or she must notify the owner of the whereabouts of the livestock within 24 hours of impounding the livestock.
5 penalty units.
(3) If the owner or occupier is unable to notify the owner of the livestock because—
(a) he or she does not know the identity of the owner; or
(b) it is impossible or impractical to contact the owner—
the owner or occupier must notify the council which operates the nearest convenient pound of the whereabouts of the livestock as soon as practicable.
5 penalty units.
10 Owners and occupiers of land to deliver livestock to pound
S. 10(1) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 55.
(1) An owner or occupier of land who under section 5 has impounded livestock on that land must not keep that livestock on that land for more than 4 days without the written permission of the council.
(2) An owner or occupier of land who does not comply with subsection (1) is not entitled to—
(a) reimbursement from the council; or
(b) recovery from the owner of the livestock—
for any part of any charge relating to the impounding of the livestock after the expiry of 4 days.
11 Procedure where owner claims livestock from owner or occupier of land
S. 11(1) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 56.
(1) If the owner of livestock impounded under section 5 claims that livestock before the owner or occupier of the land on which the livestock is impounded has delivered the livestock to a pound, the owner or occupier—
(a) must release or deliver the livestock to the owner on payment of the charges owing; or
(b) must, if the owner refuses to pay the charges owing, deliver the livestock to the nearest pound; or
(c) may release or deliver the livestock to the owner without receiving payment of the charges owing on the basis that the owner agrees to pay the charges within 7 days.
(2) If the owner of the livestock has not paid the charges owing within 7 days of the release or delivery of the livestock, the owner or occupier of land who has released or delivered the livestock to its owner may recover the charges which are due under this Act as a civil debt recoverable summarily in a court of competent jurisdiction.
S. 12 amended by No. 65/2007 s. 57.
12 Duties of authorised officer who impounds livestock on Crown land
An authorised officer who under section 5 impounds livestock trespassing on Crown land must comply with sections 9 to 11 as if he or she were the owner or occupier of that land.
S. 13 (Heading) inserted by No. 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.4), amended by Nos 13/2024 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 9), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.4).
S. 13 amended by Nos 65/2007 s. 58, 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.5), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.5).
13 Duties of authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning
An authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning who under section 5 impounds livestock must deliver that livestock to the nearest convenient pound as soon as practicable.
S. 13A inserted by No. 102/1998 s. 43, amended by No. 65/2007 s. 59.
13A Duties of person authorised by relevant corporation
A person who is authorised by a relevant corporation under section 5(2)(e) and who under section 5 impounds livestock must deliver that livestock to the nearest convenient pound as soon as is practicable after impounding the livestock.
14 Records to be kept by councils
(1) A council must ensure that a record is kept of all impounded livestock that are delivered to any pound which the council operates.
(2) The record must include the following details—
(a) details of the location where the livestock were found;
(b) the number and kind of livestock;
(c) where and how the livestock are branded;
(d) the sex and colour of the livestock and any other descriptive marks;
(e) the name of the person who impounded the livestock;
(f) details of how the livestock were disposed of.
(3) A member of the public may inspect the record kept by a council free of charge during the period that the council is open for public business.
15 Duties of councils to notify owners
S. 15(1) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 60(1)(a).
(1) A council which receives notification of the whereabouts of livestock under section 9(3) from—
(a) the owner or occupier of land; or
(b) an authorised officer—
must, as soon as possible—
(c) take reasonable steps to ascertain the owner of the livestock; and
S. 15(1)(d) substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 60(1)(b).
(d) if the owner of the livestock is ascertained by the council, serve a notice of seizure on the owner.
S. 15(2) substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 60(2).
(2) If livestock impounded under section 5 have been delivered to a council pound by an authorised person (other than an authorised officer of a council) the council must, as soon as possible—
(a) take reasonable steps to ascertain the owner of the livestock, including scanning the livestock for any permanent identification device and checking for any other identification marker; and
(b) if the owner of the livestock is known or ascertained by the council serve a notice of seizure on the owner.
S. 15(3) repealed by No. 65/2007 s. 60(2).
16 Release of livestock from pound
S. 16(1) amended by Nos 65/2007 s. 61, 60/2012 s. 9(1).
(1) A person may apply to the council for the release of livestock impounded under section 5, 5A or 5B at any time before the livestock are sold or otherwise disposed of.
(2) The council must release the livestock to the applicant if—
(a) the council is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the applicant—
(i) is the owner of the livestock; or
(ii) is authorised to claim the livestock on the owner's behalf; or
(iii) is otherwise entitled to lawful possession of the livestock; and
S. 16(2)(ab) inserted by No. 60/2012 s. 9(2).
(ab) the council is satisfied on reasonable grounds that any notice under section 16B served on a person in relation to the livestock has been complied with; and
(b) the charges owing in respect of the impounding are paid; and
(c) the applicant signs a release for the livestock; and
(d) the release of the livestock is made—
(i) during normal operating hours of the pound; or
(ii) by special arrangement with the authorised officer of the council for the release of the livestock at an agreed time outside the normal operating hours of the pound.
Pt 2 Div. 2 (Heading) substituted by No. 60/2012 s. 10.
Pt 2 Div. 2 (Heading and ss 16A, 16B) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 62.
Division 2—Powers relating to trespassing or inadequately confined livestock
S. 16A inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 62.
16A Power to serve notice objecting to the trespassing of livestock
S. 16A(1) substituted by No. 60/2012 s. 11(1).
(1) If an authorised officer of a council reasonably believes that livestock have trespassed on any land or road, he or she may serve a notice objecting to the trespass of the livestock on any one or more of the following persons—
(a) the owner of the livestock;
(b) the owner of the land on which the livestock are kept or the occupier of that land if the owner is not the occupier.
S. 16A(2) amended by No. 60/2012 s. 11(2).
(2) A notice under subsection (1) must be served on the person personally or by registered post to the last known address of the person.
(3) A notice under subsection (1) must be in a form approved by the council and include the following information—
(a) the date and location of the trespass;
(b) a description of livestock believed to have trespassed;
(c) a description of the offence in section 25A including the maximum penalty;
(d) the contact details of the authorised officer of the council.
S. 16B inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 62.
16B Power to serve notice on owner regarding confinement of livestock
S. 16B(1) substituted by No. 60/2012 s. 12(1).
(1) If an authorised officer of a council reasonably believes that livestock are not adequately confined on land or in a building, he or she may serve a notice on any one or more of the following persons directing that the person or persons take the measures set out in the notice to ensure the livestock are adequately confined—
(a) the owner of the livestock;
(b) the owner of the land or building or the occupier of the land or building if the owner is not the occupier.
S. 16B(2) substituted by No. 60/2012 s. 12(2).
(2) A notice under subsection (1)—
(a) may be served whether or not any of the livestock have been impounded in accordance with section 5B(4)(a); and
(b) must be served on the person personally or by registered post to the last known address of the person.
(3) A notice under subsection (1) must be in a form approved by the council and include the following—
(a) a direction to take the measures set out in the notice to adequately confine the livestock;
(b) the time within which those measures must be taken;
(c) a description of the offence in section 25B including the maximum penalty;
S. 16B(3)(ca) inserted by No. 60/2012 s. 12(3).
(ca) a statement that the livestock may be impounded by an authorised officer of the council—
(i) under section 5B(4)(a), if the officer is satisfied that the welfare of the livestock would be at risk or there would be risk to public safety if the livestock were to wander from the land or building; or
(ii) under section 5B(4)(b), if the notice is not complied with within the specified time;
(d) the contact details of the authorised officer of the council.
Part 3—Disposal or destruction of livestock
S. 17 (Heading) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 63(1), substituted by No. 60/2012 s. 13(1).
17 Holding period for impounded livestock
S. 17(1) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 63(2), substituted by No. 60/2012 s. 13(2).
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a council must hold livestock impounded under section 5 or 5B for at least 7 days before the council may dispose of the livestock in accordance with this Part.
(2) The 7 day period referred to in subsection (1) commences on the day that—
(a) the authorised officer of a council impounds the livestock; or
(b) the council is informed of the impounding of livestock under section 9(3) by the owner or occupier of land or an authorised officer; or
(c) if the council has not been informed under paragraph (b), the impounded livestock are delivered to the council pound by the owner or occupier of land or an authorised officer under section 9(1)(a); or
S. 17(2)(d) amended by Nos 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.6), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.6).
(d) the impounded livestock are delivered to the council pound by an authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning.
S. 17(3) repealed by No. 65/2007 s. 63(3),
new s. 17(3) inserted by No. 60/2012 s. 13(3).
(3) If a notice under section 16B is served on a person in relation to livestock impounded under section 5 or 5B(4)(a) before the impoundment of the livestock or before the end of the 7 day period referred to in subsection (1), the council must hold the livestock before disposing of the livestock in accordance with this Part for at least—
(a) the 7 day period referred to in subsection (1); or
(b) a period of 3 days after the time within which measures must be taken under the notice—
whichever period finishes last.
S. 17A inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 64.
17A Livestock found abandoned to be held for 14 days
A council, an authorised officer of which has impounded livestock under section 5A, must hold the livestock for at least 14 days after the day that the livestock were impounded before the council may dispose of the livestock in accordance with this Part.
18 Sale of unclaimed livestock
S. 18(1) substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 65.
(1) A council may offer for sale by public auction or public tender impounded livestock that are not collected within the period within which the livestock are required to be collected under section 17 or 17A (as the case requires).
(2) A council must not offer livestock for sale if the council has received a notice under section 27(1).
(3) A council may offer impounded livestock for sale by public auction at a council pound or at a saleyard approved by the council.
S. 18(4) repealed by No. 115/1994 s. 142(Sch. 2 item 4.2) (as amended by No. 73/1996 s. 48(f)(ii)).
19 Public notice of sale
(1) A council must give public notice that it intends to sell impounded livestock by public auction or public tender.
(2) A public notice of a council's intention to sell livestock by public auction must include—
(a) details of the location where the livestock were found;
(b) the number and kind of livestock;
(c) where and how the livestock are branded;
(d) the sex and colour of the livestock and any other descriptive marks;
(e) the name of the person who impounded the livestock;
(f) the time and place of the auction.
(3) A public notice of a council's intention to sell livestock by public tender must include—
(a) details of the location where the livestock were found;
(b) the number and kind of livestock;
(c) where and how the livestock are branded;
(d) the sex and colour of the livestock and any other descriptive marks;
(e) the name of the person who impounded the livestock;
(f) the date and time by which written tenders should be submitted to the council.
20 Application of proceeds of sale
(1) A council must apply the proceeds of sale of impounded livestock in the following order—
(a) the charges owing to the council must be deducted;
(b) if an authorised person (other than an authorised officer of a council) impounded the livestock, the charges (if any) owing to that person must then be paid;
(c) any balance then remaining must be paid to the owner of the livestock if the owner claims the balance in writing within 3 months of the sale of the livestock.
S. 20(2) amended by No. 44/2008 s. 111.
(2) If the owner of livestock does not claim the balance of sale money under subsection (1)(c) that money is to be dealt with in accordance with the Unclaimed Money Act 2008.
(3) If any of the proceeds of sale of impounded livestock are paid to an authorised officer, that officer must pay that money into the Consolidated Fund.
21 Disposal of livestock
S. 21 amended by No. 65/2007 s. 66(1).
A council may dispose of impounded livestock in such manner as the council thinks fit, including destroying or re‑housing the livestock, if—
(a) livestock which are offered for sale by public auction or public tender under this Part are not sold; or
S. 21(b) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 66(2).
(b) at the end of the 7 day period referred to in section 17 or the 14 day period referred to in section 17A (as the case may be), the council determines that, in the opinion of the council, the proceeds of the sale of the impounded livestock would be less than the charges owing in respect of the impounding of the livestock.
22 Power of authorised officer of council to destroy impounded livestock in certain circumstances
S. 22(1) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 67(1).
(1) Despite sections 8, 8A, 17 and 17A, an authorised officer of a council may destroy impounded livestock—
(a) on the written order of an inspector of stock; and
(b) after 48 hours from the time of posting a written notice of the impounding of the livestock by the council at the pound where they are held.
(2) Before issuing a written order under subsection (1) an inspector of stock must have formed the opinion that—
(a) the livestock are in poor physical condition; and
S. 22(2)(b) substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 67(2).
(b) having considered the duties imposed on the council, the livestock are worth less than the cost of keeping the livestock at the pound—
(i) for at least 7 days (in a case to which section 17 applies); and
(ii) for at least 14 days (in a case to which section 17A applies).
S. 22(3) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 67(3).
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to livestock impounded under section 5 if, at the time the livestock were impounded—
(a) a boundary or dividing fence existing between the land of the livestock owner and the place where the livestock are found was not livestock-proof because of fire, flood or other natural disaster; and
(b) the owner of the livestock has not had a reasonable opportunity to restore or repair the fence or boundary effectively.
23 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 not affected
This Act is in addition to and not in derogation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
S. 24 substituted by No. 115/1994 s. 142(Sch. 2 item 4.3) (as amended by No. 73/1996 s. 48(f)(iii)).
24 Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 not affected
This Act is in addition to and not in derogation of the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994.
Pt 3A (Heading and ss 24A–24J) inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
Part 3A—Lien over, and retention and sale of, agisted horses
S. 24A inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24A Application of Part
(1) This Part applies if a horse is agisted, a default occurs with respect to any money owed under the agistment agreement, and the default is not rectified within 14 days after it occurs.
(2) However, this Part does not apply if the creation of a lien over the horse by the person who is owed the money would be inconsistent with any written agreement between that person and the owner of the horse as to how defaults concerning the agistment are to be dealt with.
S. 24B inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24B Person owed money may create lien over horse
(1) The person who is owed money under the agistment agreement may create a lien over the horse by serving a default notice on the owner of the horse at any time after the owner has been in default under the agreement for 14 or more days.
Note
Section 24F sets out what a default notice must contain, and how it is to be served.
(2) On the creation of a lien over a horse, the lien holder may retain possession of the horse until the lien is extinguished under this Part.
S. 24C inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24C Extinguishment of lien
A lien over a horse under this Part is extinguished—
(a) on the owner of the horse becoming entitled to recover possession of the horse under section 24D; or
(b) on the lien holder selling, exchanging, disposing of, or destroying the horse under this Part; or
(c) on the lien holder signing a notice stating that the default notice that created the lien is withdrawn.
S. 24D inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24D Right of owner to return of horse
The owner of a horse that is subject to a lien is entitled to recover possession of the horse at any time before the horse is sold, exchanged, disposed of, or destroyed if the owner pays the lien holder—
(a) the amount that the owner was in default on the date that the default notice was issued, or if that amount covers a period of agistment of more than 3 months, the amount payable for an agistment period of 3 months; and
(b) the amount of any additional expenses (including agistment fees) incurred by the lien holder in caring for the horse from the date that the default notice was issued until—
(i) the expiry of 60 days from that date; or
(ii) the extinguishment of the lien—
whichever occurs first; and
(c) the amount of any expenses in relation to the intended sale, exchange, disposal, or destruction of the horse that have been reasonably incurred by the lien holder.
S. 24E inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24E Lien holder may dispose of horse if default not rectified
(1) If, after a default notice has been served, the owner of a horse that is subject to a lien has not paid the amounts required to recover possession of the horse within 28 days after the day the notice was served, the lien holder may—
(a) sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of the horse; or
(b) destroy the horse.
(2) Despite subsection (1), the lien holder may only exchange, dispose of, or destroy the horse if—
(a) the horse has been offered for sale at a public auction or by public tender; or
(b) the lien holder has obtained a certificate from a veterinary practitioner registered under the Veterinary Practice Act 1997 stating that the horse is unsuitable for sale.
(3) Despite subsection (1), the lien holder must not sell, exchange, dispose of, or destroy a horse if the owner becomes entitled to recover possession of the horse after the 28 day period referred to in subsection (1).
S. 24F inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24F Default notice
(1) For the purposes of this Part, a default notice is a notice—
(a) that states that the owner of a horse is in default under an agistment agreement and gives details of that default, including how the amount of any money owing as a result of the default was calculated; and
(b) that informs the owner that the person issuing the notice holds a lien over the horse under this Part, and may retain possession of the horse until the lien is extinguished; and
(c) that informs the owner how the owner may recover possession of the horse under this Part, including details of—
(i) the amount payable under section 24D(a); and
(ii) the rate of any agistment fees payable under section 24D(b) and a description of any other fees that are payable under that section; and
(iii) how the owner may obtain details of how much is payable in respect of the amounts referred to in sections 24D(b) and 24D(c) if the owner has not recovered the right to possession of the horse within 28 days after the service of the notice; and
(d) that informs the owner that the person may sell, exchange, dispose of, or destroy the horse after 28 days after the day that the notice is served if the owner has not recovered possession of the horse within that 28 day period under section 24D; and
(e) that specifies when the notice is taken to be served under subsection (4); and
(f) that specifies the date of issue of the notice.
(2) A default notice must be served on the owner of the horse either in person or by registered post addressed to the owner at the owner's last known address.
(3) If the owner's address is not known, it is sufficient compliance with subsection (2) for the lien holder to cause to be published in the public notices section of a daily newspaper circulating generally in Victoria a notice in the following form—
"Attention: [name of owner]. Agistment fees are owed for the horse left at [general location of the property at which the horse is being agisted] by you. Part 3A of the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 now applies. For details contact: [contact details of person issuing the default notice].".
(4) A notice under this section is to be taken to be served—
(a) if served in person, on it being given to the owner; or
(b) if served by registered post, on the day after the day that the notice is posted; or
(c) if subsection (3) applies, on the day the newspaper containing the notice is published.
S. 24G inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24G When lien is created
A lien is created—
(a) if the default notice is served in person, on the notice being served;
(b) in any other case, on the day the notice is served.
S. 24H inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24H Sale of unclaimed horse by lien holder
(1) If a person holding a lien sells the horse that is the subject of the lien, the person may retain from the proceeds of the sale the amounts specified in sections 24D(a), 24D(b) and 24D(c).
(2) The person must pay any remaining proceeds of the sale to the owner of the horse or, if the owner cannot be found, to the Consolidated Fund.
(3) If the sale of the horse does not realise the full amount owing to the person, the person may sue the owner of the horse for the remaining amount.
(4) The person must keep all records of the sale for 2 years.
(5) A person holding a lien must not buy a horse that the person has offered for sale under this Part.
S. 24I inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24I Passing of property on sale of horse
Property in a horse that is sold, exchanged or disposed of under this Part passes to the person who receives the horse unless—
(a) the sale, exchange or disposal was not conducted at arm's length; or
(b) the person is aware that the lien holder has not complied with any of the provisions of this Part in selling, exchanging or disposing of the horse.
S. 24J inserted by No. 69/2004 s. 45.
24J Offence to remove or retain custody of horse subject to lien
(1) A person must not—
(a) remove a horse from a person who holds a lien over that horse; or
(b) retain custody or possession of a horse over which a lien is held—
without the consent of the lien holder.
10 penalty units.
(2) It is a defence to a charge under subsection (1)—
(a) if the default notice creating the lien was served on the owner of the horse by post and the horse was removed or retained before the owner received the notice;
(b) if the lien was created by publishing the required notice in a newspaper and the horse was removed or retained before the owner became aware, or reasonably should have become aware, that the lien existed.
(3) Despite subsection (1), the owner of a horse that has been left in the possession of another person without the owner's consent may recover that animal.
(4) Subject to subsection (3), a lien continues to exist even though the lien holder allows the horse to be taken temporarily out of his or her custody or possession.
Pt 4 (Heading) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 68.
Part 4—Offences relating to livestock
25 Offences relating to livestock
A person must not—
(a) retrieve or attempt to retrieve livestock in the possession of an authorised person;
(b) remove or attempt to remove livestock from a pound;
(c) interfere with impounded livestock;
(d) damage or attempt to damage a pound;
(e) impound livestock unless he or she is an authorised person;
S. 25(f) amended by No. 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 83).
(f) when driving or assisting in the driving of livestock—
(i) refuse to state the name and address of the owner of the livestock; or
(ii) give a false name and address of the owner of the livestock—
when requested to do so by a police officer within the meaning of the Victoria Police Act 2013 or a person on whose land the livestock are being driven;
(g) drive livestock from a person's land without proper authority;
(h) wilfully permit or cause livestock to trespass.
20 penalty units.
S. 25A inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 69, amended by No. 60/2012 s. 14.
25A Offence if livestock trespass after service of notice under section 16A
If livestock are found trespassing after a notice has been served on a person under section 16A, the person is guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty of not more than 20 penalty units.
S. 25B inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 69, amended by No. 60/2012 s. 15.
25B Offence if non-compliance with notice served under section 16B
A person who has been served with a notice under section 16B must comply with the notice.
50 penalty units.
Pt 5 (Heading) substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 70.
Part 5—Court proceedings concerning impounded livestock
S. 26 amended by No. 65/2007 s. 71.
26 Proceedings in the Magistrates' Court
The owner of livestock impounded under this Act may bring proceedings against the relevant council in the Magistrates' Court to determine whether or not—
(a) the impounding of the livestock was in contravention of this Act;
(b) the charge required to be paid for the release of the livestock—
(i) is not authorised by this Act; or
(ii) has been incorrectly calculated; or
(iii) is unreasonable.
27 Notice of intention to bring proceedings
(1) The owner of livestock who intends to bring proceedings under section 26 must give notice in writing to the council of his or her intention within 2 days of receiving notification of the impounding of the livestock.
(2) The owner of livestock must commence the proceedings within 7 days from the date that he or she notified the council in writing of his or her intention to bring the proceedings under section 26.
(3) Despite subsection (1) or (2), if the owner of livestock—
(a) did not receive notice of the impounding of the livestock; or
(b) has not complied with subsections (1) or (2)—
the Magistrates' Court may, on the application of the owner of livestock, grant the application for an extension of time to enable proceedings under section 26 to be commenced within such time period as the Magistrates' Court determines.
28 Holding of impounded livestock
(1) If a council receives notification under section 27(1), the council must not sell or otherwise dispose of the impounded livestock until—
(a) the time limit specified under section 27(2) has expired; or
(b) the proceedings have been determined or withdrawn.
(2) Despite subsection (1), livestock may be destroyed if the circumstances set out in section 22(1) apply.
(3) A council may release impounded livestock to the owner pending the determination of the proceedings without affecting the council's right to recover costs and charges from the owner of the livestock.
29 Orders court may make
(1) If the Magistrates' Court determines that the impounding was in accordance with this Act, the owner of the livestock is liable for all costs incurred by the council in impounding the livestock until the date of the determination or the date of the release of the livestock under section 28(3).
(2) If the Magistrates' Court determines that the impounding was in contravention of this Act, the council must release the impounded livestock free of all charges imposed under the Act and convey the livestock to the owner at the council's expense.
(3) If the Magistrates' Court determines that the charges are unreasonable, the Court may determine such charges as it considers reasonable.
(4) The Magistrates' Court may make an order against the council for damages suffered by the owner of livestock in consequence of his or her livestock having been impounded in contravention of this Act.
Pt 5A (Heading) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 72.
Part 5A—General and enforcement
Pt 5A Div. 1 (Heading) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 72.
Division 1—General
30 Recovery of outstanding charges owing to council
(1) If the proceeds of sale of impounded livestock under section 18 are insufficient to discharge any amount owing to a council for the impounding of livestock, the council may recover the outstanding amount from the owner of the livestock as a civil debt recoverable summarily in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) A council must apply a sum recovered under subsection (1) in accordance with section 20.
S. 31 amended by Nos 49/2019 s. 186(Sch. 4 item 22.7), 25/2025 s. 106(Sch. 1 item 22.7).
31 Recovery of outstanding charges owing to persons other than a council
If the proceeds of sale of impounded livestock under section 18 are insufficient to discharge any amount owing to an owner or occupier of land, an authorised officer or an authorised officer of the Department of Transport and Planning for the impounding of livestock, that person may recover the outstanding amount from the owner of the livestock as a civil debt recoverable summarily in a court of competent jurisdiction.
32 Compensation under the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987
This Act is in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of the Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987 relating to the right of the Crown to seek compensation under that Act.
33 Application of money recovered under this Act
(1) In this section money means—
S. 33(1)(a) amended by No. 65/2007 s. 73.
(a) a fine recovered where proceedings are brought under this Act; or
(b) a charge paid under this Act.
(2) Subject to sections 20 and 30—
(a) money received by or on behalf of a council is to be paid to that council; and
S. 33(2)(b) amended by No. 74/2000 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 62).
(b) money received by or on behalf of the Crown is to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
S. 33A (Heading) amended by No. 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 68.1).
S. 33A inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 74, amended by No. 68/2009 s. 97(Sch. item 68.2).
33A Power to file charge-sheets under this Act
A charge-sheet charging an offence under this Act or under the regulations may only be filed by—
(a) an authorised officer of a council (but only in respect of an alleged offence committed in the municipal district of the council of which that person is an officer); or
(b) an authorised officer.
Pt 5A Div. 2 (Heading and ss 33B–33D) inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 75.
Division 2—Infringement notices
S. 33B inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 75.
33B Power to serve infringement notices
(1) An authorised officer of a council may serve an infringement notice on a person who the authorised officer has reason to believe has committed an offence against section 25(e), 25(g), 25A or 25B.
(2) An authorised officer of a council may serve an infringement notice on a person who the authorised officer has reason to believe has committed an offence against the regulations if the offence is prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this Division.
S. 33C inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 75.
33C Infringement offence
An offence referred to in section 33B for which an infringement notice may be served is an infringement offence within the meaning of the Infringements Act 2006.
S. 33D inserted by No. 65/2007 s. 75.
33D Infringement penalty
The infringement penalty for an infringement offence under this Division is the penalty—
(a) which is prescribed by the regulations as the infringement penalty for that offence for the purposes of this Division; and
(b) which must not exceed 5 penalty units or the penalty for that offence.
Part 6—Regulations
S. 34 substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 76.
34 Regulations
(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations for or with respect to—
S. 34(1)(a) amended by No. 35/2009 s. 120.
(a) prescribing charges relating to the impounding of livestock in areas outside a municipal district; and
S. 34(1)(ab) inserted by No. 60/2012 s. 16.
(ab) the care and management of impounded livestock in pounds; and
(b) prescribing infringement offences for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5A; and
(c) prescribing, for the purposes of Division 2 of Part 5A, infringement penalties not exceeding 5 penalty units for infringement offences; and
(d) forms for the purposes of this Act; and
(e) fees for the purposes of this Act; and
(f) generally prescribing any other matter or thing required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed or necessary to be prescribed to give effect to this Act.
(2) Regulations made under this Act—
(a) may be of general or limited application; and
(b) may differ according to differences in time, place or circumstance; and
(c) may leave any matter to be approved or determined by the Minister or the Secretary; and
(d) may be made so as to apply, adopt or incorporate any matter contained in any code, standard, rule, specification or method formulated, issued, prescribed or published by any authority or body whether—
(i) wholly or partially or as amended by the regulations; or
(ii) as formulated, issued, prescribed or published at the time the regulations are made or at any time before then; or
(iii) as amended from time to time; and
(e) may impose penalties not exceeding 20 penalty units for contravention of the regulations.
Pt 7 (Heading) repealed by No. 28/2007 s. 3(Sch. item 31).
Ss 35–42 repealed by No. 11/2002 s. 3(Sch. 1 item 35).
S. 43 repealed by No. 28/2007 s. 3(Sch. item 31).
Endnotes
1 General information
See www.legislation.vic.gov.au for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
Minister's second reading speech—
Legislative Assembly: 10 November 1994
Legislative Council: 5 October 1994
The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill to provide for and regulate the impounding of livestock, to repeal the Pounds Act 1958, to amend the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, the Forests Act 1958, the Land Act 1958, the National Parks Act 1975 and the Wildlife Act 1975 and for other purposes.".
The Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 was assented to on 6 December 1994 and came into operation on 6 December 1994: section 2.
INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)
Style changes
Section 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.
References to ILA s. 39B
Sidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression "(1)" at the beginning of the original section or clause.
Interpretation
As from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:
• Headings
All headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).
• Examples, diagrams or notes
All examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).
• Punctuation
All punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).
• Provision numbers
All provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).
• Location of "legislative items"
A "legislative item" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.
• Other material
Any explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.
See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).
2 Table of Amendments
This publication incorporates amendments made to the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 by Acts and subordinate instruments.