New South Wales Consolidated Acts

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1979 - SECT 24P

24P Official warning of intention to authorise seizure and disposal of stock animals

(1) The Secretary may issue an official warning in respect of an animal if the Secretary suspects, on reasonable grounds, that the animal is in distress, or is likely to become distressed, because it has not been provided with necessary veterinary treatment, or proper and sufficient food, drink or shelter.

(2) An
"official warning" is a written notice, to the owner or person in charge of the animal, that the Secretary intends to authorise the seizure and disposal of the animal if the action required to be taken by the notice in relation to the animal's welfare is not taken within the period required by the notice.

(3) Before issuing an official warning, the Secretary must--

(a) constitute a Stock Welfare Panel to assess, and report to the Secretary on, the state of and appropriate care for the animal and any other matter concerning its welfare that the Secretary considers appropriate, and

(b) consider the Panel's report.

(4) If the Secretary issues an official warning, the Panel is to--

(a) monitor compliance with the official warning, and

(b) on the expiry of the period for compliance required by the official warning, assess, and report to the Secretary on, compliance with the official warning, and appropriate action to be taken in relation to the animal.

(5) An inspector may, for the purpose of assisting the Panel in the exercise of its functions under this section--

(a) enter any land on which the animal is kept, and

(b) examine the animal.

(6) The Secretary may, by further written notice to the owner or person in charge of an animal--

(a) revoke an official warning, or

(b) extend the period for compliance with an official warning.

(7) A single official warning may be issued in respect of more than one animal.