New Zealand Legislation: Acts

17 Performance of restricted surgical procedures

• (1) A restricted surgical procedure may be performed on an animal only by—

  • (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) Where a restricted surgical procedure is to be performed on an animal, the veterinarian who is to perform that procedure, or who is to supervise the performance of that procedure by a person who is being taught veterinary science, must, before performing or supervising the performance of that surgical procedure, first satisfy himself or herself that the performance of that procedure is in the interests of the animal.

  (3) A veterinarian who—

  • (a) performs a restricted surgical procedure on an animal; or

  • (b) for the purpose of teaching veterinary science, supervises the performance of a restricted surgical procedure on an animal,—

  must ensure that the animal is, throughout the performance of the surgical procedure, under the influence of a general or local anaesthetic or an analgesic that is sufficient to prevent the animal from feeling pain.

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