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(a1)  (Repealed)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.