Queensland Consolidated Acts

ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION ACT 2001 - SECT 41B

41B Euthanasing sick or injured animals by veterinary surgeons

(1) This section applies for an offence if the act that constitutes the offence—

(a) involves the killing of an animal; and

(b) is done by a veterinary surgeon.

(2) In a proceeding for the offence, it is a defence for a veterinary surgeon to prove—

(a) that the act was done in the belief that the animal was so diseased or severely injured, or in such poor physical or psychological condition, that it would have been cruel to keep it alive; and

(b) that the act was done in a humane way; and

(c) that the veterinary surgeon took reasonable steps to identify and contact the person in charge of the animal before doing the act.

(3) Without limiting subsection (2) (c) , reasonable steps include—

(a) scanning the animal for a microchip; and

(b) searching any relevant registers; and

(c) searching the animal for any other form of identification, including, for example, collars or tags.