Veterinary involvement in animal welfare investigations

As a veterinarian, you can support an investigation into alleged animal welfare offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act).

In an investigation, you may provide:

  • factual evidence
  • an expert opinion.

You will not be involved in decisions about enforcement actions or prosecutions.

Lawful requirements

Under section 165 of the Act, an inspector has the power to require information from you if:

  • the inspector suspects someone has contravened the Act and the inspector believes you may have information about this
  • or
  • the inspector has issued an animal welfare direction to a person in charge of an animal and the inspector believes you may have information about whether the direction has been followed.

Your involvement in an animal welfare investigation is voluntary unless a lawful requirement is made (such as an information requirement under section 165 of the Act).

How you may support an investigation

You can help through any of the following actions:

  • Report a possible breach of the Act witnessed in your work.
  • Provide advice to an animal owner who has been issued an animal welfare direction by an inspector to seek veterinary care.
  • Assist an inspector with an investigation, for example by:
    • attending a property
    • performing live or post-mortem examinations
    • giving expert advice
    • providing veterinary treatment.
  • Review and give an expert opinion on evidence obtained during an investigation (such as photographs and pathology results).
  • Provide a statement of veterinary opinion or veterinary report to support an investigation under the Act or a prosecution brief of evidence.
  • Provide evidence in court on behalf of the prosecution in an animal welfare matter.

Statement of veterinary opinion or veterinary report

Your statement or report should be as complete as possible and present a fair assessment of any issues you found. Include:

  • details about yourself, the animal and the situation
  • any other information you consider relevant, such as publications or reference material.

Remember to sign and date the statement or report.

Your details

  • Full name, address and phone number
  • Qualifications, including where and when they were achieved
  • Current employment details
  • Number of years experience (including experience with the particular species)

Animal details

  • Who presented the animal and why
  • Date or dates the animal was examined (either specific examination dates or the period the animal was under veterinary care, for example 'between dd/mm/yy and dd/mm/yy')
  • Full description of the animal, including:
    • age (estimated from dentition if not known)
    • breed
    • sex
    • microchip number (if available)
    • distinguishing markings
    • any identification number allocated by the inspector

Observations and assessments

  • Tests performed, treatments provided and responses or results
  • Diagnosis of any illness or injury
  • Estimated duration of illness and prognosis
  • Your opinion on the cause of the animal's injury or illness
  • The basis for your diagnosis and/or opinion (for example the animal's demeanour, its response to manipulation and handling)
  • Whether you believe the animal has experienced any pain (indicated by distress and mental or physical suffering) from the injury or illness
  • Any underlying conditions that have no reasonable cure (such as cancer, old age or blindness)
  • What veterinary care was or is required

Expertise and conflicts of interest

Inform the inspector as soon as possible if you feel:

  • the matter is outside your area of expertise
  • being involved in the investigation will create a real, potential or perceived conflict of interest.

Confidentiality

All information and evidence gathered by an inspector as part of an investigation under the Act is confidential. You must not disclose information about an investigation to unauthorised persons.

Your wellbeing

Animal welfare investigations can be confronting and emotionally challenging.

If you need support, contact the inspector or the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland.

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