Have your say on a bill aimed at reducing delays for certain charges under the Dog Control Act 1996

The Primary Production Committee is now seeking public submissions on the Dog Control (Category 1 Offences) Amendment Bill. The bill aims to reduce the time it takes for charges (excluding specific charges) under the Dog Control Act 1996 to be heard.

Category 1 offences, which are defined in the Criminal Procedure Act 2011, are offences that are not punishable by imprisonment. In the 2015/16 year, 427 out of the 456 charges under the Animal Control Act were for category 1 offences.

The bill would amend the Animal Control Act to allow category 1 offences to be heard by Justices of the Peace and Community Magistrates. The Criminal Procedure Act 2011 authorises Justices of the Peace and Community Magistrates to sit as judicial officers in the District Court when specifically authorised by legislation that creates an offence.

Tell the Primary Production Committee what you think
Send your submission on the bill by midnight on Tuesday 27 November 2018.

For more details about the bill:
• Read the contents of the bill
• Get more details about the bill

ENDS

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