Animal welfare

In the Northern Territory (NT), you can be fined up to $81,000 or imprisoned for 5 years if a court finds you’ve:

• been cruel to an animal
• committed any other offence under the:
  • Animal Protection Act 2018
  • Animal Protection Regulations 2022.

Animal welfare officers

Animal welfare officers investigate offences in line with the Act and can:

• issue direction or infringement notices
• seize animals
• take animal owners to court.

They will always carry an identity card.

NT Police officers also have these same powers and functions.