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. 2019 Oct 22;9(10):853. doi: 10.3390/ani9100853

Table 1.

Legislation relating to pig-hunting dogs in Australia.

State/Territory Animal Welfare Legislation Domestic Animal Legislation Is Hunting Pigs with Dogs Legal? Additional Considerations
Queensland Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 Yes #

  • Compulsory microchipping
New South Wales Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulation 2012		 Companion Animals Act 1998 Yes

  • Dogs kept for pig hunting are subject to ‘dangerous dog’ requirements such as secure housing

  • Compulsory microchipping
Australian Capital Territory Animal Welfare Act 1992 Domestic Animals Act 2000 No

  • Compulsory microchipping

  • Non-breeding dogs must be desexed by six months of age
Victoria Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 Domestic Animals Act 1994 Yes *

  • Compulsory microchipping
Tasmania Animal Welfare Act 1993 Dog Control Act 2000 Not applicable ^

  • Compulsory microchipping
South Australia Animal Welfare Act 1985 Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 Yes *

  • Compulsory microchipping

  • Must wear ID tags unless on private land
Western Australia Animal Welfare Act 2002 Dog Act 1976 Yes

  • Compulsory microchipping
Northern Territory Animal Welfare Act 1999
Animal Welfare Regulations 2000
Animal Protection Act 2018 (not yet commenced—awaiting regulations)		 Council by-laws only Yes

# Queensland legislation on allowing dogs to hold or lug feral pigs is unclear. It is an offence exemption so long as ‘unreasonable pain and suffering’ isn’t caused by the activity. * Victoria and South Australia allow dogs to flush, chase, and bail feral pigs but do not permit direct contact to occur, such as holding or lugging the pig. ^ There is no significant feral pig population on the island state of Tasmania.