New Zealand Legislation: Acts

15 Restriction on performance of surgical procedures

• (1) Except as provided in section 18(1), no person may perform any significant surgical procedure on an animal unless that person is—

  • (a) a veterinarian; or

  • (b) a person who is acting under the direct supervision of a veterinarian and who is being taught veterinary science at undergraduate level.

  (2) A veterinarian who, for the purpose of teaching veterinary science, supervises the performance of a significant surgical procedure, must be present throughout the performance of that surgical procedure.

  (3) Any person may, subject to subsection (4) and to Parts 2 and 6, perform on an animal any surgical procedure that is not a significant surgical procedure.

  (4) No person may, in performing on an animal a surgical procedure that is not a significant surgical procedure, perform that surgical procedure in such a manner that the animal suffers unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.