New Zealand Legislation: Acts

28 Wilful ill-treatment of animals

• (1) A person commits an offence who wilfully ill-treats an animal in such a way that—

  • (a) the animal is permanently disabled; or

  • (b) the animal dies; or

  • (c) 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.

  (2) A person who commits an offence against this section is liable on conviction on indictment,—

  • (a) in the case of an individual, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to both; or

  • (b) in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $250,000.

  Compare: 1960 No 30 ss 2, 4; 1993 No 19 s 3(1)