• “(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to actions taken by—

  • “(a) a warranted officer or a fish and game ranger; or

  • “(b) any person authorised in writing for the purpose by the Director-General, the Director, or the appropriate Fish and Game Council.”

“26ZZQ Dogs causing serious injury to protected wildlife

• “(1) A person commits an offence if the person is the owner, or a person in charge, of a dog that attacks protected wildlife in a controlled dog area or an open dog area and causes—

  • “(a) the death of protected wildlife; or

  • “(b) injury to protected wildlife so that it becomes necessary to destroy the wildlife to end its suffering.

  “(2) The person is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding $10,000, or both.

  “(3) The court must, on convicting the person, make an order for the destruction of the dog unless satisfied that the circumstances of the attack were exceptional and do not justify destruction.”