Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against rights of property - Unlawful taking

220A: Theft of livestock and other animals

You could also call this:

“If you take someone else's farm animals or pets without permission, you could go to jail.”

If you take livestock or any other animal that belongs to someone else, you are committing theft. This is a serious crime, and you could go to prison for up to 7 years if you do this. Remember, it’s important to respect other people’s property, including their animals.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS170466.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
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220: Theft by person in special relationship, or

“Stealing money or things you're supposed to look after for someone else”

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221: Theft of parts of killed animals, or

“Taking parts from someone else's dead animal is stealing”

Part 10 Crimes against rights of property
Unlawful taking

220ATheft of livestock and other animals

  1. A person commits theft and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years if they steal any livestock or any other animal that is the property of any other person.

Notes
  • Section 220A: inserted, on , by section 7 of the Crimes Amendment Act 2019 (2019 No 4).