Have you been charged with Wounding, Torturing, Overworking, Assaulting, Tormenting or Terrifying an Animal?
This charge can have serious consequences. Should you be found guilty you may face imprisonment. Make sure you have carefully considered all elements of the charge with an experienced lawyer before telling a court how you intend to plead.
There may be a defence available to you if, at the time of the alleged offence, you were the owner of the animal and you can prove you had entered into an agreement with another person by which the other person agreed to care for the animal.
Please read below for more information in relation to this charge.
The offence
Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
The prosecution must prove that the defendant wounded, mutilated, tortured, overdrove, overworked, abused, beat, worried, tormented or terrified an animal.
The maximum penalty
In the case of an individual, imprisonment for 12 months or 250 penalty units. In the case of a body corporate, 600 penalty units.
Where will my case be heard?
Wounding, Torturing, Overworking, Assaulting, Tormenting or Terrifying an Animal cases can only be heard in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
Questions to consider
Do you have a defence? If you are pleading guilty, what can you do to minimise your sentence?
What to do next?
See an experienced criminal lawyer urgently. The more time your lawyer has to prepare your defence, the better the chance of a positive outcome in your matter.
If you have been charged with Wounding, Torturing, Overworking, Assaulting, Tormenting or Terrifying an Animal make an appointment to see one of our experienced lawyers today.
The legislation
Section 9 Cruelty
(1) A person who—
(a) wounds, mutilates, tortures, overrides, overdrives, overworks, abuses, beats, worries, torments or terrifies an animal;
commits an act of cruelty upon that animal and is guilty of an offence and is liable to a penalty of not more than, in the case of a natural person, 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months or, in the case of a body corporate, 600 penalty units.
