Have you been charged with Abandoning an Animal Kept for Domestic Purposes?
This charge can have serious repercussions. Make sure you have carefully considered all elements of the charge with an experienced criminal lawyer prior to appearing before a court.
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)(h) of the Prevention of Animal Cruelty Act 1986.
The prosecution must prove:
The defendant abandoned an animal;
The species of animal is usually kept in a state of confinement or for a domestic purpose.
The maximum penalty
In the case of a natural person, imprisonment for 12 months or 246 penalty units. In the case of a body corporate, 600 penalty units.
Where will my case be heard?
Abandoning an Animal Kept for Domestic Purposes 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?
Engage an experienced criminal lawyer to prepare your defence.
Don’t delay. If you have been charged with Abandoning an Animal Kept for Domestic Purposes make an appointment to see a specialist in criminal law today.
The legislation
Section 9 Cruelty
(1) A person who—
(h) abandons an animal of a species usually kept in a state of confinement or for a domestic purpose;
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.
