As you are reading this, the repercussions of Covid-19 are unfolding faster than we can report for a bi-monthly magazine article so we recommend that to keep up to date, google the Government Covid-19 update website, which is refreshed daily or visit the NZPHA website and Facebook pages or the NZ Game Animal Council website and Facebook pages and keep up to date with the NZPHA press releases.
While all the attention has been grabbed by Covid-19, the Amended Animal Welfare regulations (79 pages) were released by the Ministry of Primary Industries which came into law 9th May 2020.
The new rules require that where a person, who is not a veterinarian, is allowed to carry out a surgical procedure on an animal, they must be “competent “.
To be competent, a person should be experienced with, or having received training in the correct use of the method for the procedure and have the appropriate skill and equipment to carry it out.
The person carrying out a procedure must make sure they are competent to do so. NOW it also the responsibility of the owner or the person in charge, of the animal to make sure that the person carrying out the procedure is competent.
Be aware that this includes “wild animals under a person’s control”
There are new offences and penalties for some breaches of the new laws – including some that may result in a criminal conviction and / or a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual and /or up to $25,000 for a body corporate. These penalties will target minor to moderate offending. More serious offending will be dealt with under the Animal Welfare Act 1999
Two of the new laws that apply to pig hunting and pig hunters as of 9 May 2020:
Freeze Banding Dogs:
A person who freeze brands a dog must be competent and use pain relief authorised by a veterinarian for the purpose of the procedure and throughout the procedure
Failing to use pain relief when freeze branding a dog becomes a prosecutable regulation offence. It can include a criminal conviction. Maximum penalty fine $3,000 for the competent individual plus a $3,000 fine for the owner or the person in charge of the animal.
As pig hunting clubs hold dog branding days, where members bring their dogs along to be branded by a competent non-veterinarian, the club will now have to provide a veterinarian to administer sedation and / or pain relief and to monitor the dogs. Also, be aware that where pig hunting clubs are registered as a member of the Incorporated Society then they could be identified as a body corporate.
Nose Ringing a pig:
A person who inserts a pig nose ring or clip must be competent and insert the nose ring or clip for animal management purposes only.
The insertion of WIRE into the noses of pigs is prohibited.
The owner or person in charge of a pig must ensure that its nose is not ringed in breach of the clauses above.
Inserting a wire into a nose of a pig becomes a prosecutable regulation offence. It can include a criminal conviction. Maximum penalty fine $5,000 for the individual and $25,000 for a body corporate.
Steve McFall