Search and Surveillance Act 2012

Amendments, repeals, and miscellaneous provisions - Amendments to search and seizure powers in other enactments (and to related provisions) used for law enforcement purposes or for law enforcement and regulatory purposes - Amendments to Animal Welfare Act 1999

198: Power of court to order that certain animals be forfeited to the Crown or approved organisation

You could also call this:

"Courts can take away animals from people who hurt them to keep them safe."

If you are found guilty of hurting an animal, the court can order that the animal be taken away from you. The court can give this order if it thinks it is necessary to protect the animal. You might lose the animal you hurt, or other animals you own.

The court can also order that any money made from selling the animal be taken away from you. This can happen if the court thinks it is a good idea. You can be ordered to give up the money to the Crown.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on 24 May 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM4355902.

Topics:

Crime and justice > Criminal law

197: Vehicle, aircraft, ship, or animal may be detained, or

"The police can take control of a vehicle, ship, plane, or animal if you're arrested for an animal-related crime."

199: Amendment to Antarctic Marine Living Resources Act 1981, or

"Changing the rules to protect Antarctic marine life"

Part 5Amendments, repeals, and miscellaneous provisions
Amendments to search and seizure powers in other enactments (and to related provisions) used for law enforcement purposes or for law enforcement and regulatory purposes: Amendments to Animal Welfare Act 1999

198Power of court to order that certain animals be forfeited to the Crown or approved organisation

Section 172 is amended by repealing subsections (1) and (1A) and substituting the following subsection:
The court convicting a person (the offender) of an offence against this Act in respect of an animal or animals may (in addition to or in substitution for any other penalty),—
if it thinks it desirable for the protection of the animal or animals in question, order that any or all of the following animals be forfeited to the Crown or to an approved organisation:
1. the animal or animals to which the charge relates and of which the offender is the owner:
2. any other animals at the date of conviction owned by the offender:
if it thinks it desirable, order that any proceeds of sale of the animal retained under section 136A be forfeited to the Crown.