Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Animal Welfare Act 1999

Conduct towards animals - Ill-treatment of animals

28A: Reckless ill-treatment of animals

You could also call this:

"Hurting animals on purpose can lead to big fines or jail time."

Illustration for Animal Welfare Act 1999

You can commit an offence if you recklessly ill-treat an animal. This means the animal might be permanently disabled, die, or be in so much pain that it needs to be put down. You can also commit an offence if the animal is seriously injured or impaired. This can happen if the animal is in prolonged pain, has a substantial risk of death, loses a body part, or has a permanent loss of a bodily function, and needs a vet's treatment. If you commit this offence, you can be liable for imprisonment or a fine. The fine can be up to $75,000 for an individual or $350,000 for a company.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM3094404.

This page was last updated on — View changes

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safetyEnvironment and resources > Conservation
Previous

28: Wilful ill-treatment of animals, or

"Hurting animals on purpose is against the law"

Next

29: Further offences, or

"Breaking the law by being cruel to animals or helping others to be cruel"

Part 2Conduct towards animals
Ill-treatment of animals

28AReckless ill-treatment of animals

  1. A person commits an offence if that person recklessly ill-treats an animal with the result that—

  2. the animal is permanently disabled; or
    1. the animal dies; or
      1. the pain or distress caused to the animal is so great that it is necessary to destroy the animal in order to end its suffering; or
        1. the animal is seriously injured or impaired.

          1. For the purposes of subsection (1)(d), an animal is seriously injured or impaired if the injury or impairment—

          2. involves—
            1. prolonged pain and suffering; or
              1. a substantial risk of death; or
                1. loss of a body part; or
                  1. permanent or prolonged loss of a bodily function; and
                  2. requires treatment by or under the supervision of a veterinarian.

                    1. A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction,—

                    2. in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $75,000 or to both:
                      1. in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $350,000.

                        Notes
                        • Section 28A: inserted, on , by section 5 of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 93).
                        • Section 28A(3): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).