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. 2020 Dec 26;11(1):35. doi: 10.3390/ani11010035

Table 10.

Each offence relating to animal protection included in the Australian state and territories’ crimes acts. Offences are broken down into acts of aggravated animal cruelty, bestiality and provisions to protect working animals. Offences have been paraphrased. Penalties are applicable to natural persons; separate penalties apply for body corporates.

Jurisdiction Aggravated Cruelty Bestiality Working Animals *
ACT Section 63A [117]—offence to commit bestiality.
Max penalty: 10 years imprisonment.
NSW Section 530 [114]—offence to intend to (s530(1)) or be reckless about (s530(1A)) harming an animal.
Max penalty: (1) 5 years and (1A) 3 years imprisonment.		 Section 79 [118]—offence to commit bestiality.
Max penalty: 14 years imprisonment.
Section 80—offence to attempt to commit bestiality.
Max penalty: 5 years imprisonment.		 Section 531(1) [115]—offence to intentionally kill or seriously injure an animal used for law enforcement.
Max penalty: 5 years imprisonment.
NT Section 138 [119]—offence to commit bestiality.
Max penalty: 3 years imprisonment.
QLD Section 242(1) [120]—offence to intend to kill or inflict severe pain on an animal.
Max penalty: 7 years imprisonment.
Section 468(1) [113]—offence to intentionally wound or kill an animal.
Max penalty: 7 years imprisonment if committed on stock animals.
Max penalty: 2 years for any other animals or 3 years imprisonment if committed at night.		 Section 211 [121]—offence to have carnal knowledge with or of an animal.
Max penalty: 7 years imprisonment.
SA Section 69 [122]—offence to commit bestiality.
Max penalty: 10 years imprisonment.		 Section 83I(1) [123]—offence to intentionally cause death or serious harm to a working animal. *
Max penalty: 5 years imprisonment.
TAS Section 122 [124]—offence to engage in an act of bestiality.
Max penalty: not included.
VIC Section 54A(1) [125]—offence to commit bestiality.
Max penalty: 5 years imprisonment.
WA Section 181 [126]—offence to have carnal knowledge of an animal.
Max penalty: 7 years imprisonment.

* Definition of working animals includes animals used for law enforcement (NSW) [115] and police dogs, police horse, correctional services dog or accredited assistance dogs (SA) [116].