Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Animal Welfare Act 1999

Care of animals - Transport of animals

23: Other offences in relation to transport of animals, etc

You could also call this:

"Hurting animals while moving them is against the law"

You commit an offence if you keep or move an animal in a way that causes it unnecessary pain or distress without a good reason. If you own an animal or are in charge of it, you must not let it be driven, led, ridden, or taken somewhere if it is not healthy enough to do so. You need a good reason to do these things, or you will be committing an offence.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM50416.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Farming and fishingHealth and wellbeing > Public health
Previous

22: Transport of animals, or

"Looking after animals when moving them by car, plane, or boat"

Next

24: Defence and rebuttable evidence, or

"How to defend yourself if accused of not following animal welfare rules"

Part 1Care of animals
Transport of animals

23Other offences in relation to transport of animals, etc

  1. A person commits an offence who, without reasonable excuse, confines or transports an animal in a manner or position that causes the animal unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.

  2. A person commits an offence who, being the owner of, or the person in charge of, an animal, permits that animal, without reasonable excuse,—

  3. to be driven or led on a road; or
    1. to be ridden; or
      1. to be transported in or on a vehicle, an aircraft, or a ship,—
          1. while the condition or health of that animal is such as to render it unfit to be so driven, led, ridden, or transported.