12Certain procedures not to be performed on animals

#### 12 Certain procedures not to be performed on animals 12 Certain procedures not to be performed on animals > > (1) A person shall not— > > > > > (a) dock the tail of a horse, bull, ox, bullock, steer, cow, heifer, calf or dog, > > > > > (b) crop the ears of a dog, > > > > > (c) operate upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark, > > > > > (d) remove one or more of the claws of a cat, > > > > > (e) grind, trim or clip one or more teeth of a sheep, > > > > > (f) perform a clitoridectomy on a greyhound, or > > > > > (g) fire or hot iron brand the face of an animal. > > > > Maximum penalty—250 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 50 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both, in the case of an individual. > > > (2) A person is not guilty of an offence against this section if the court is satisfied that the procedure comprising the alleged offence— > > > > > (a) was docking the tail of a calf less than 6 months old when the offence was alleged to have been committed, or > > > > > (a1) (Repealed) > > > > > (b) was— > > > > > > > (i) docking the tail of a cow, heifer or female calf, > > > > > > > (ii) operating upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark, > > > > > > > (iii) removing one or more of the claws of a cat, > > > > > > > (iv) grinding, trimming or clipping one or more teeth of a sheep, > > > > > > > (v) performing a clitoridectomy on a greyhound, or > > > > > > > (vi) firing or hot iron branding the face of an animal, > > > > > > by a veterinary practitioner, > > > > and the procedure was performed in the prescribed circumstances and in accordance with any conditions specified in the regulations. > > > (2A) A person is not guilty of an offence against this section if the court is satisfied that the procedure comprising the alleged offence was the docking of the tail of a dog, was performed by a veterinary practitioner and was in the interests of the dog’s welfare. > > > (3) In this section— > > > > clip the tooth of a sheep means breaking off the crown of a tooth with pliers or another tool or implement. > > > > dock the tail of an animal means to remove all or part of the tail of the animal (other than a part of the tail consisting only of fur, hair, feathers or the like) whether by surgical or other means. > > > > grind the tooth of a sheep means grinding down a tooth with an electric angle grinder or another tool or implement. > > > > trim the tooth of a sheep means cutting off a tooth with an abrasive disc or another tool or implement. > > **s 12:** Am 1987 No 160, Schs 1 (6), 2 (4); 1992 No 112, Sch 1; 1997 No 83, Sch 1 \[6\] \[15\]–\[22\]; 2003 No 87, Sch 3.20 \[2\]; 2004 No 24, Sch 1 \[1\]–\[3\]; 2006 No 120, Sch 2.73; 2007 No 27, Sch 1.43.