Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2026

Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2026

I, the Governor in and over the State of Tasmania and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Executive Council, make the following regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 1993 .

CAROLINE WELLS

Governor

By Her Excellency's Command,

G. B. PEARCE

Minister for Primary Industries and Water

PART 1 - Preliminary

1.   Short title

These regulations may be cited as the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2026 .

2.   Commencement

These regulations take effect on the day on which their making is notified in the Gazette.

3.   Interpretation

In these regulations –

Act means the Animal Welfare Act 1993 ;

bitch means a female dog;

characteristics, in respect of an individual dog, include the age, breed, size, physiological status and health;

dam, in relation to a puppy, means the bitch that gave birth to the puppy;

date of whelping means the date on which the first puppy of a litter is born;

direct supervision – see regulation 4 ;

dog – means an animal of the species Canis familiaris;

facility – see regulation 5 ;

incompatible dog means a dog that, on at least two separate occasions, interacts with another dog in a manner that causes injury to, or fear or distress in, the other dog;

new owner, in relation to the rehoming of a dog, means the person –

(a) to whom care or charge of the dog is permanently given; or

(b) to whom the dog is otherwise sold;

person in charge, in relation to a facility, includes –

(a) the owner of the facility; and

(b) the manager of the facility;

pound means a pound established under the Local Government Act 1993 ;

puppy means a dog that –

(a) has not attained the age of 12 months; or

(b) if the date of birth of the dog is not known, is visually assessed as not having attained the age of 12 months;

registration number, in relation to a dog, means the registration number allocated to the dog upon its registration under the Dog Control Act 2000 ;

rehome – see regulation 6 ;

sell means –

(a) to trade; and

(b) to keep or have in possession for sale; and

(c) to deal in or agree to sell; and

(d) to give away; and

(e) to receive, or take consideration, for payment for sale; and

(f) to transfer ownership of; and

(g) to offer or display for sale;

vulnerable dog means the following:

(a) a puppy that has not attained the age of 4 months;

(b) a bitch that is in the advanced stages of pregnancy;

(c) a lactating bitch;

(d) a dog that is suffering, or recovering, from illness or injury;

(e) a dog that requires special medical care.

4.   Meaning of direct supervision

For the purposes of these regulations, a person (the supervised person) is under the direct supervision of another person (the supervisor) if the supervisor –

(a) is at the same location as the supervised person while the activity that is to be supervised is taking place; and

(b) provides instructions and guidance to the supervised person in relation to the activity being supervised, if necessary; and

(c) oversees and evaluates the performance of the activity by the supervised person; and

(d) is able to render assistance immediately to the supervised person, if required, at any time during which the activity is being undertaken.

5.   Meaning of facility

For the purposes of these regulations, a facility means one or more of the following:

(a) an animal shelter, pound or pet shop;

(b) premises operated by, or on behalf of, a dog rearing, dog training or dog boarding organisation that –

(i) is run for profit; and

(ii) as part of its operation, accommodates dogs overnight for profit;

(c) premises operated by, or on behalf of, an organisation which –

(i) has 3 or more bitches –

(A) each of which is more than 6 months of age; and

(B) that are not desexed; and

(ii) sells dogs;

(d) premises operated by, or on behalf of, any other person or form of organisation that is primarily used for the accommodation, shelter, holding or breeding of dogs.

6.   Meaning of rehome

For the purposes of these regulations –

(a) a person rehomes a dog if the person –

(i) gives care or charge of the dog permanently to another person (the other person), other than as part of a fostering program; or

(ii) sells the dog to another person; and

(b) a dog is rehomed when the other person –

(i) accepts the care or charge of the dog permanently; or

(ii) takes possession of the dog that has been sold to the other person.

PART 2 - Care and Management of Dogs

Division 1 - General

7.   Identification of dogs

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that has been weaned must ensure that the dog can be individually identified.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a puppy that has not yet been weaned must ensure that the puppy can be –

(a) individually identified; or

(b) identified by its relationship to its dam.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

8.   Rehoming of dogs

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must not rehome the dog unless, at the time at which the dog is rehomed, the person provides to the new owner of the dog a vaccination certificate for the dog that –

(a) is issued, and signed, by a veterinary surgeon; and

(b) specifies the following:

(i) the date on which the last vaccination was administered to the dog;

(ii) the diseases against which the dog has been vaccinated by that veterinary surgeon;

(iii) the date on which the dog is due for the next vaccination in respect of each disease against which the dog has been vaccinated as recorded under subparagraph (ii) ;

(iv) if more than one veterinary surgeon has administered a vaccination to the dog –

(A) the name of each of those veterinary surgeons; and

(B) the details of each vaccination administered by those veterinary surgeons referred to in sub-subparagraph (A) .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must not rehome the dog unless, at the time at which the dog is rehomed, the person discloses to the new owner of the dog the date on which the general health of the dog was last checked by a veterinary surgeon.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  Subject to subregulation (4) , a person who has the care or charge of a dog must not rehome the dog if the person knows, or suspects, that the dog has, or presents with, one or more of the following matters:

(a) an injury;

(b) a sickness;

(c) a disease;

(d) a physical impairment;

(e) pregnancy;

(f) aggression;

(g) behavioural problems.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(4)  Subregulation (3) does not apply to a person who rehomed a dog if, before the dog was rehomed, the person –

(a) disclosed to the new owner of the dog –

(i) each relevant matter, specified in subregulation (3) , that the person knew or suspected was applicable to the dog; and

(ii) the basis for that knowledge or suspicion; and

(b) had made all reasonable enquiries to ensure that the new owner was able to have the care or charge of the dog in accordance with the relevant requirements under the Act.

(5)  A person who has the care or charge of a puppy must not advertise that the puppy is available for rehoming unless the advertisement specifies –

(a) the microchip number of the dam of the puppy; or

(b) the microchip number of the puppy; or

(c) if neither the dam nor puppy are microchipped –

(i) the registration number of the dam; and

(ii) the name of the council at which the dam is registered.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(6)  A person who has the care or charge of a puppy must not rehome the puppy unless, before the puppy is rehomed, the person provides the new owner of the puppy with –

(a) the microchip number of the dam of the puppy; or

(b) the microchip number of the puppy; or

(c) if neither dam nor puppy are microchipped –

(i) the registration number of the dam; and

(ii) the name of the council at which the dam is registered.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

9.   Protection from harm

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the dog is protected from potential distress, or potential injury, from another animal.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is not confined in an area with an incompatible dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is provided with exercise in a manner that –

(a) is appropriate for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of the dog; and

(b) does not expose the dog to an unreasonable risk of injury.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

10.   Use of electronic collar

(1)  In this regulation –

electronic collar, in respect of a dog, means a collar that is –

(a) designed to be used by being secured around the dog’s neck; and

(b) capable of imparting an electric shock to the dog when the dog is wearing the collar.

(2)  A person must not use an electronic collar on a dog unless the collar –

(a) is fitted to the dog in accordance with the specifications and instructions for use as provided by the manufacturer; and

(b) is in good working order; and

(c) is free from defect or damage; and

(d) emits an auditory warning to the dog before imparting an electric shock; and

(e) is not used on the dog for more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person must not use an electronic collar on –

(a) a vulnerable dog; or

(b) a dog that is whelping.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

Division 2 - Housing of dogs

11.   Housing of dogs left unattended

A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that, if the dog is left unattended for an unreasonable period, the dog always has access to an area that is constructed and maintained so as to provide sufficient protection for the dog from any predictable extremes of temperature, wind, rain or other adverse weather conditions.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

12.   Minimum ventilation requirements

(1)  In this regulation –

forced ventilation means a fully enclosed system that provides ventilation by means of electric fans.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that is housed in an enclosure with forced ventilation must ensure that the means of ventilation –

(a) results in an air change rate of at least 8 changes per hour; and

(b) causes fresh air to be evenly distributed throughout the area in which the dog is housed; and

(c) maintains the air temperature in the area in which the dog is housed within a range that is comfortable for the dog after taking into account the characteristics of the dog; and

(d) if the means of ventilation recirculates air, contains a means of effective air cleaning and filtration to ensure the removal of infectious organisms and chemicals.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that is housed in an enclosure must ensure that –

(a) any forced ventilation –

(i) has a secondary source of power that operates automatically in the event of a failure of a primary source of power; and

(ii) has a mechanism that alerts a person to the failure of the primary source of power; or

(b) the housing area is able to be opened up manually to provide sufficient natural ventilation for the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(4)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that is housed in an enclosure must ensure that any ventilation within the enclosure –

(a) is sufficient to ensure that any noxious odours, or dampness, within the enclosure do not reach a level that is harmful to a dog housed within the enclosure; and

(b) is maintained at a level that is comfortable for the dog housed within the enclosure after taking into account the characteristics of the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

13.   Minimum housing conditions

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that an area housing the dog has been designed, constructed, serviced and maintained in such a manner that the area –

(a) provides, as much as possible, for the good health and welfare of a dog that is housed within the area; and

(b) minimises the risk of –

(i) transmission of infections, or infectious disease agents, between dogs housed within the area; and

(ii) injury or harm to a dog housed within the area; and

(c) prevents, as much as possible, the escape of any dog housed within the area; and

(d) is capable of being cleaned to a reasonable standard.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that is housed in an area must ensure that –

(a) a door or gate, or other means of entrance or exit, to the area is secured in such a way that it cannot be opened by a dog when housed in the area; and

(b) while housed in the area, the dog is unable to access a substance, or item, that is reasonably likely to be harmful to the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch that is whelping must ensure that the area where the bitch is whelping –

(a) is a suitable area for the bitch to whelp; and

(b) is maintained in a clean condition; and

(c) is checked daily for cleanliness; and

(d) is lined with clean bedding that is checked daily.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

14.   Housing of dogs that are not desexed

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a male dog that is not desexed must ensure that the dog is housed in a manner that prevents that dog from having access to a bitch that –

(a) is not desexed; and

(b) is in season.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch that –

(a) is not desexed; and

(b) is in season –

must ensure that the bitch is housed in a manner that prevents that bitch from having access to a male dog that is not desexed.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  It is a defence in proceedings for an offence under subregulation (1) or (2) if the defendant establishes that –

(a) the defendant enabled the dogs to have access for the specific purpose of breeding the dogs; and

(b) an owner of each dog consented to the dogs being bred with one another.

15.   Tethering of dogs

(1)  Subject to subregulation (2) , a person who has the care or charge of a dog must not tether the dog for a continuous period of more than 30 minutes, unless –

(a) the dog shows acceptance of being tethered and is not distressed as a result of being tethered; and

(b) the dog is appropriately supervised while tethered; and

(c) the dog, while tethered, has access to clean water; and

(d) the dog, while tethered, has access to weatherproof shelter; and

(e) the tether is fitted with a swivel that was inspected before the dog was tethered to ensure that the swivel was in working condition; and

(f) the dog is provided with daily exercise off the tether in accordance with these regulations.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  Despite subregulation (1) , a person must not tether –

(a) a puppy that has not attained the age of 4 months; or

(b) a bitch in season; or

(c) a bitch that is in the advanced stages of pregnancy; or

(d) a bitch that is whelping.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person must not tether a dog to a moveable object, or adjacent to a fence, in a manner that places the dog at risk of injury or death by hanging.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

16.   Crating of dogs

(1)  In this regulation –

crate means a roofed enclosure that –

(a) may be used to confine a dog; and

(b) is capable of being transported while being used to confine a dog.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is not confined in a crate, unless –

(a) the dog shows acceptance of being confined in a crate; and

(b) the dog is not distressed from the confinement; and

(c) the crate is large enough for the dog to be able –

(i) to turn around inside the crate; and

(ii) to lie on its side with its legs fully outstretched while in the crate; and

(iii) to sit and stand in the crate without its head touching the roof of the crate; and

(d) the period of the confinement does not exceed a total of 10 hours within a continuous 24-hour period.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  Subregulation (2) does not apply to a person confining a dog if the person is confining the dog in a crate in accordance with the advice of a veterinary surgeon that has been provided in respect of that dog.

17.   Sleeping areas

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that all areas in which the dog is likely to sleep are –

(a) checked daily; and

(b) cleaned daily to remove waste, faeces, urine and soiled bedding that may be in the area; and

(c) maintained in a clean condition.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog has access to a clean and dry area to sleep, which –

(a) is appropriate for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of the dog; and

(b) is large enough so that each dog that is expected, or likely, to sleep in the area is –

(i) able to lie down with all limbs fully outstretched; and

(ii) not obstructed; and

(c) provides protection from predicted extremes of temperature, wind, rain or other adverse weather conditions; and

(d) is within a temperature range that is comfortable for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

18.   Transport of dogs

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is transported –

(a) in a manner that is appropriate for its age, size and physiological status; and

(b) separately from –

(i) an incompatible dog; and

(ii) an item, or animal, that is reasonably likely to cause injury, harm or distress to the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that, when being transported –

(a) the dog has access to sufficient shade and ventilation to ensure that the dog is not likely to suffer from heat stress during transportation; and

(b) if the dog is being transported on the back of a vehicle or trailer, the dog is tethered or restrained to prevent the dog from falling, or hanging, off the side of the vehicle or trailer.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  Subregulation (2)(b) does not apply to a dog being transported on the back of a vehicle or trailer while the dog is being used to herd livestock.

(4)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must not leave the dog unattended in, or on, a vehicle where there is a reasonable likelihood of the dog suffering from heat stress or cold stress.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

Division 3 - Health of dogs

19.   Health and veterinary care generally

(1)  Unless otherwise specified in these regulations, a person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is inspected at least once each day to monitor the dog’s health and welfare.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that has suffered an injury or illness, or is otherwise visibly unwell, must provide or seek appropriate medical treatment for the dog’s injury of illness.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  For the purposes of subregulation (2) , a person has provided appropriate medical treatment to a dog if the person complies with the advice of a veterinary surgeon given in respect of the dog.

(4)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must take all reasonable measures –

(a) to prevent the dog from contracting distemper, infectious canine hepatitis or parvovirus; and

(b) to protect the dog from common infectious diseases; and

(c) to prevent, or treat, any internal or external parasites in, or on, the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

20.   Health and veterinary care of vulnerable dogs

(1)  In this regulation –

vulnerable dog means the following:

(a) a puppy that has not attained the age of 4 months;

(b) a bitch that is in the advanced stages of pregnancy;

(c) a lactating bitch;

(d) a dog that is suffering, or recovering, from illness or injury;

(e) a dog that requires special medical care.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a vulnerable dog must ensure that the dog is inspected, for the purposes of monitoring the health and welfare of the dog –

(a) as often as is reasonably required to enable intervention to mitigate preventable risks to the health and safety of the dog; and

(b) at least twice each day.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

21.   Nutrition requirements

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is provided with access to clean water at a temperature, quantity and quality that meets the requirements for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is fed –

(a) in the case of a dog that is less than 3 weeks of age, as is appropriate for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of the dog; and

(b) in the case of a dog that is at least 3 weeks of age but less than 3 months of age, at least 3 times per day and at not more than 12-hourly intervals; and

(c) in the case of a dog that is at least 3 months of age but not more than 6 months of age, at least 2 times per day; and

(d) in any other case, at least once each day.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is fed a diet of food that is of a quantity and quality that –

(a) meets the nutritional requirements for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of the dog; and

(b) maintains the dog in a healthy body condition to allow, if appropriate, healthy growth and reproduction of the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(4)  Subregulations (1) , (2) and (3) do not apply in respect of a dog if the person who has the care or charge of the dog –

(a) has sought the advice from a veterinary surgeon in respect of the nutritional requirements for that dog; and

(b) is providing food and water to the dog in accordance with the advice of the veterinary surgeon provided in respect of that dog.

(5)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must, in respect of food and water containers used, or intended for use, by the dog –

(a) inspect each container at least once each day; and

(b) refill each container as required to meet the requirements of these regulations; and

(c) remove, and clean or replace, each container if there has been contamination of the food or water within the container to an extent that the quality of that food or water is significantly affected.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(6)  A person who has the care or charge of more than one dog, or a dog and another animal, must monitor each animal while being fed to ensure that each animal is able to have access to sufficient food and water to meet its individual needs.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(7)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must store and prepare food for the dog –

(a) in a hygienic manner; and

(b) to prevent, as far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of injury or illness to the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

22.   Exercise requirements

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that the dog is provided with a reasonable opportunity to exercise –

(a) for at least 60 minutes in total each day; and

(b) at least twice each day for a period of not less than 10 minutes for each time when the dog is provided the opportunity for exercise.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that each dog that is more than 6 months of age at the facility is not exercised with an incompatible dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  Subregulations (1) and (2) do not apply to a dog if –

(a) a veterinary surgeon has provided advice to the person who has the care or charge of the dog that the dog is not to undertake such exercise; or

(b) the person who has the care or charge of the dog can provide satisfactory evidence that –

(i) the dog has not been exercised due to the dog suffering an injury or illness which requires the dog to be rested; and

(ii) the period without exercise does not exceed 3 days; or

(c) the dog is being held at a pound and has not been held at the pound for a period exceeding 7 days.

(4)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog must ensure that all opportunities for exercise provided to the dog are appropriate for the dog, after taking into account the characteristics of that dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

23.   Breeding of dogs

(1)  In this regulation –

heritable condition, with respect to a dog, means a condition that, if passed through breeding from the dog to an offspring of that dog, has the potential to cause adverse consequences to the health, or welfare, of the offspring.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch must ensure that the bitch is not mated until after her first oestrous.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch must ensure that the bitch does not exceed 5 litters in the bitch’s lifetime, unless –

(a) the person has received a written determination from a veterinary surgeon, in respect of the bitch, that the person may allow the bitch to exceed 5 litters; and

(b) the person complies with the conditions, if any, of that determination.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(4)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch must ensure that the bitch is not mated after the bitch reaches 7 years of age, unless the person –

(a) has received a written determination from a veterinary surgeon, in respect of the bitch, that the person may breed the bitch after the bitch attains the age of 7 years; and

(b) if the bitch is mated, complies with the conditions, if any, of that determination.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(5)  A person must not breed a dog that, at the time of mating, is unwell, injured or suffering from an illness.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(6)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog that is known to have, or is reasonably suspected to have, a heritable condition must ensure that the dog is not used for breeding, unless the person –

(a) has received a written determination from a veterinary surgeon, in respect of the dog, that the person may use the dog for breeding; and

(b) if the dog is used for breeding, complied with all conditions, if any, of that determination.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(7)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch that is used for breeding must ensure that the bitch receives a health check by a veterinary surgeon –

(a) after the bitch’s last litter has been weaned but before the bitch is further mated; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply, at a minimum of once in every 12-month period.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

24.   Pregnant and whelping dogs

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch that is pregnant must seek, or have received, advice from a veterinary surgeon on what is considered the normal manner of a birth for a dog with those characteristics.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch that is whelping must contact a veterinary surgeon for advice, with respect to the bitch, if there has been no progress in the whelping within the 2-hour period after the bitch began straining.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has contacted a veterinary surgeon in accordance with subregulation (2) must –

(a) comply with the advice of the veterinary surgeon in respect of the bitch; or

(b) take an action that is –

(i) equivalent to that advice; and

(ii) in the best interests of the health and welfare of the bitch and each puppy being whelped.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(4)  A person who has the care or charge of a bitch that is whelping must monitor the bitch once during every 2-hour period to ensure that, to the best of the person’s knowledge, the birth is proceeding in a normal manner.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

25.   Puppies

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a puppy that is less than 21 days of age must not remove the puppy from the other puppies in the litter, or from its lactating dam, for more than 10 continuous minutes at a time, unless the removal is in the best interests of the puppy, litter or dam.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who has the care or charge of a puppy that is at least 21 days of age but not yet weaned must not remove the puppy from the other puppies in the litter, or from its lactating dam, for more than 20 minutes at a time, unless it is in the best interests of the puppy, litter or dam.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  A person who has the care or charge of a puppy must not rehome the puppy before the puppy is 8 weeks of age, except in accordance with the advice of a veterinary surgeon in respect of that puppy.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

26.   Destruction of dogs

(1)  In this regulation –

breeding bitch means a bitch that is –

(a) used for the purposes of breeding; or

(b) pregnant; or

(c) whelping.

(2)  For the purposes of this regulation, a dog is destroyed humanely if –

(a) the dog is rendered suddenly unconscious; and

(b) the death of the dog occurs while it is unconscious.

(3)  A person who –

(a) has the care or charge of a dog, other than a puppy or a breeding bitch, must not cause or allow the dog to be destroyed unless the destruction is carried out humanely by – 

(i) a veterinary surgeon; or

(ii) a person who is acting under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon; or

(b) has the care or charge of a puppy or a breeding bitch must not cause or allow the puppy or breeding bitch to be destroyed, unless –

(i) that puppy or breeding bitch has been reviewed by a veterinary surgeon who –

(A) has determined that the destruction is necessary for the welfare of that puppy or breeding bitch; and

(B) provides a written determination authorising the destruction of that puppy or breeding bitch; and

(C) documents the reasons for that determination; and

(ii) the destruction of that puppy or breeding bitch is carried out humanely by a veterinary surgeon.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.

(4)  It is a defence in proceedings for an offence under subregulation (3)(a)(ii) if the defendant establishes that –

(a) the dog was destroyed humanely; and

(b) it was not possible to find a veterinary surgeon within a reasonable time; and

(c) the delay in waiting for a veterinary surgeon would have caused undue suffering to the dog.

PART 3 - Additional Requirements for Facilities

Division 1 - Preliminary

27.   Application of Part

Unless otherwise specified, the requirements specified in this Part are in addition to any relevant requirements specified in these regulations.

Division 2 - Administrative requirements

28.   Relevant standards for facility employees

A person in charge of a facility must ensure that each person who has the care or charge of a dog in the facility –

(a) meets the relevant standards and requirements specified in these regulations for such a person; or

(b) is under the direct supervision of a person who meets the relevant standards and requirements specified in these regulations for such a person.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

29.   Record requirements for facilities

(1)  This regulation does not apply to a person if –

(a) the person is in charge of a facility that is a pound or animal shelter; and

(b) the information specified in subregulation (3) cannot be reasonably ascertained by the person.

(2)  A person in charge of a facility must make a record of the information specified in subregulation (3) .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  For the purposes of subregulation (2) , the following information is specified:

(a) the name of the dog;

(b) if the name of the dog is unknown, a unique identifier for the dog;

(c) the name, address and telephone number of at least one person with care or charge of the dog;

(d) the sex of the dog and whether the dog is desexed or not;

(e) the date of birth of the dog, or the approximate age of the dog if the date of birth is unknown;

(f) the microchip number of the dog, if micro-chipped;

(g) the registration number of the dog, if registered;

(h) if the dog is a puppy that is to be rehomed –

(i) the microchip number of the dam of the puppy, if micro-chipped; or

(ii) the microchip number of the puppy, if micro-chipped; or

(iii) the registration number of the dam of the puppy, if registered;

(i) the vaccination status of the dog, whether known or unknown;

(j) details of any known special medical or dietary requirements;

(k) the date on which the dog arrived at the facility;

(l) if the dog departs the facility –

(i) the date on which the dog departed; and

(ii) the destination of the dog; and

(iii) the name of the person who assumed the care or charge of the dog;

(m) if the dog dies while at the facility –

(i) the date of the dog's death; and

(ii) the cause of death, if known.

(4)  A person required to make a record under subregulation (2) , in relation to a dog, must keep that record for a minimum period of 3 years, commencing –

(a) on the day on which the dog is rehomed from the facility; or

(b) if the dog dies while at the facility, on the day on which that dog dies.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

30.   Record requirements for breeding puppies

(1)  In this regulation –

sire in relation to a puppy, means a dog that is the biological father of the puppy.

(2)  The person in charge of a facility must make a record, on the day of whelping, of the information specified in subregulation (3) in respect of –

(a) each dam that whelps at the facility; and

(b) each litter of pups bred from the dam while at the facility.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  For the purposes of subregulation (2) , the following information is specified:

(a) the name of the dam, if known;

(b) if the name of the dam is unknown, a unique identifier for the dam;

(c) the microchip number of the dam, if micro-chipped;

(d) the registration number of the dam, if registered;

(e) the name of the sire, if known;

(f) the microchip number of the sire, if known;

(g) the registration number of the sire, if known;

(h) the date of whelping;

(i) identification details of each puppy in the litter, including any abnormalities or deaths.

(4)  A person required to make a record under subregulation (2) must keep that record for a minimum period of 3 years, commencing on the day on which the record is made.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

31.   Production of records

A person who is required to keep a record in accordance with regulation 29 or 30 must produce the record if requested to do so by an inspector during the period for which the record is required to be kept.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

32.   Emergency management plans

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that –

(a) there is an emergency management plan for the facility that details the handling and evacuation of animals on the premises in the event of an emergency; and

(b) the emergency management plan for the facility is reviewed and updated at least once in each 12-month period.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that each person working at the facility –

(a) has access to a copy of the emergency management plan for the facility; and

(b) is aware of the person’s obligations under the emergency management plan if an emergency occurs.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

33.   Record requirements

(1)  If a person is required under these regulations to inspect or monitor a dog at a facility, the person must record all adverse, or significant, observations made in respect of the dog, including any changes in the following:

(a) the eating or drinking habits of the dog, including the drinking of milk if the dog is a puppy;

(b) the defecation and urination habits of the dog;

(c) the behaviour, temperament and physical movement of the dog;

(d) any signs of illness or distress in respect of the dog;

(e) the condition of the dog's coat.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person who records an adverse observation under subregulation (1) in respect of a dog at a facility must notify the person in charge of the facility.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

34.   Facilities to have health plan

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that a written health plan, determined by a veterinary surgeon, is prepared and implemented in respect of the facility.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A health plan referred to in subregulation (1) is to detail procedures in respect of, but not limited to, the following matters:

(a) the prevention of common infectious diseases and parasites within the facility;

(b) the treatment of common infectious diseases and parasites within the facility;

(c) the eradication of common infectious diseases and parasites within the facility.

(3)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that the name and contact details for a veterinary surgeon, or veterinary clinic, are visibly displayed within the facility so that all persons having the care or charge of a dog within the facility have access to the details.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

Division 3 - Housing requirements

35.   Housing requirements specific to facilities

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that the facility –

(a) is designed, constructed, serviced and maintained to prevent access to the facility by unauthorised persons; and

(b) has an adequate water supply for all dogs housed at the facility; and

(c) has an area available within the facility, or at a veterinary clinic to which the person has reasonable access, to isolate a dog if required; and

(d) has biosecurity measures in place that are regularly reviewed and updated if appropriate.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that –

(a) at the time of any inspection or observation of a dog housed within the facility, there is sufficient light within the facility to enable the inspection or observation; and

(b) if the facility relies on artificial lighting in any area where dogs are housed, the artificial lighting is as similar as is reasonably practicable to lighting that would occur naturally.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

36.   Cleaning and disinfecting of facilities

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that –

(a) all areas of the facility used to house dogs are cleaned and disinfected –

(i) before a new dog is introduced to the area; and

(ii) at least once each day; and

(b) all areas of the facility used to exercise dogs are inspected to ensure that they are reasonably clean and free of faeces –

(i) before a new dog is introduced to the area; and

(ii) at least once each day; and

(c) food preparation and storage areas within the facility, and all containers, utensils and equipment used to prepare and store food, are maintained to an appropriate standard of hygiene; and

(d) all enclosures used to house bitches while whelping are disinfected before the whelping is expected to commence and after the puppies from the whelping are removed.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  Subregulation (1)(a) does not apply to an area of the facility –

(a) where dogs cohabit with people; or

(b) that is a grassed enclosure.

37.   Isolation of unwell dogs within facilities

(1)  A person who has the care or charge of a dog at a facility must, if the person suspects that the dog is suffering from a significant infectious disease or severe injury, take the dog to the isolation area of the facility unless –

(a) to do so would cause unreasonable pain or suffering to the dog; or

(b) a veterinary surgeon has specified in writing that it is appropriate to house the dog with other animals whilst suffering from the disease or injury; or

(c) it is unreasonable in the circumstances to relocate the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  If subregulation (1)(a) or (c) applies in respect of a dog, the person having the care or charge of the dog at a facility must remove other animals from the area where the dog is located if it is reasonable to do so in the circumstances.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

38.   Tethering of dogs at facilities

A person who has the care or charge of a dog at a facility must not tether the dog for a continuous period that exceeds 3 hours.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

Division 4 - Health requirements

39.   Condition of dog while at facilities

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that each dog housed at the facility is maintained so as to ensure that the coat of the dog is not matted or tangled.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person is not guilty of an offence under subregulation (1) if –

(a) the matting or tangling of the coat of a dog is a characteristic of that breed of dog; or

(b) the condition of the coat of a dog does not promote disease, or cause physical discomfort or injury, to the dog.

40.   Euthanasia of dogs at facilities

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that there is an area within the facility, separate from any area where animals are housed, that may be used to euthanise a dog if required.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person must not euthanise a dog at a facility –

(a) in an area other than the area referred to in subregulation (1) , unless it is unreasonable in the circumstances to relocate the dog to the area; or

(b) in the presence of another person, unless the other person and the person euthanising the dog have agreed to the other person being present.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

41.   Breeding of dogs at facilities

(1)  If dogs are being mated at a facility, the person in charge of the facility must ensure that, while the dogs are being mated, the dogs are –

(a) isolated from any other dogs within the facility; and

(b) regularly monitored by a person to ensure that neither dog is distressed, unwell or injured.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that a bitch whelping at the facility is isolated from other dogs within the facility.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

42.   Puppies at facilities

A person in charge of a facility must ensure that any puppies at the facility are assessed on a weekly basis to ensure that each puppy is achieving a healthy weight gain that is appropriate for the puppy after taking into account the characteristics of the puppy.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

43.   Rehoming of dogs

(1)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that each dog at the facility is treated to prevent, or remove, gastrointestinal parasites before the dog is rehomed from the facility.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(2)  A person in charge of a facility must ensure that a new owner of a dog rehomed from the facility is provided with accurate written information, at no charge, specifying appropriate care instructions for the dog.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

PART 4 - Miscellaneous

44.   Infringement notices

For the purposes of section 43A of the Act –

(a) an offence against a provision specified in column 1 of the table in Schedule 1 is prescribed as an offence for which an infringement notice may be served; and

(b) the penalty specified in column 2 of the table in Schedule 1 is prescribed as the penalty payable by an individual for the corresponding offence specified in column 1 of that table; and

(c) the penalty specified in column 3 of the table in Schedule 1 is prescribed as the penalty payable by a body corporate for the corresponding offence specified in column 1 of that table.

45.   Legislation rescinded

The legislation specified in Schedule 2 is rescinded.

SCHEDULE 1 - Infringement notices

SCHEDULE 2 - Legislation rescinded

Regulation 45

Displayed and numbered in accordance with the Rules Publication Act 1953.

Notified in the Gazette on 19 August 2026

These regulations are administered in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the regulation)

(a) for the purposes of the Animal Welfare Act 1993  – 

(i) prescribe certain requirements in respect of the care, charge, welfare and management of dogs; and

(ii) make provision in respect of various miscellaneous matters; and

(iii) prescribe infringement notices for offences under these regulations; and

(b) rescind the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2016.