Animal Welfare

The Animal Welfare Act, which commenced in March 2000, is the legislation governing animal welfare in the Northern Territory.

Animal welfare inspectors are appointed under the Act, and include RSPCA representatives, members of the Northern Territory Police Force, and the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources stock inspectors and veterinarians.

To report cruelty to animals, contact the Animal Welfare Branch (Department of Local Government and Housing) the RSPCA or the Police. The department is primarily concerned with animal welfare matters relating to livestock and production animals.

The department has a representative on one national committee and one territory committee dealing with animal welfare:

• The Animal Welfare Working group deals with animal welfare issues relating to the agricultural industries. It also facilitates the development, implementation and harmonisation of animal welfare standards and legislation. These animal welfare standards include publication of Australian Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals. The codes define an acceptable standard of animal management, and are available from the internet.
• The Northern Territory Animal Welfare Advisory Committee advises the Minister for Local Government and Housing on animal welfare matters pertaining to the Territory.

The use of animals for research and teaching within the Northern Territory comes under the guidance of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes - 7th edition, 2004.

Research projects in the department involving animals apply the animal welfare approval and reporting requirements of this code. The department supplies a veterinarian to sit on the Charles Darwin University Animal Ethics Committee, and will generally seek to gain approvals through this committee. Most departmental research involving animals conforms to normal animal husbandry procedures.