Australian Capital Territory Current Acts Australian Capital Territory Current Acts(1) A person must not keep a dog that has not been de-sexed if the person does not hold a permit for the dog.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
(2) A person must not keep a cat that has not been de-sexed if the person does not hold a permit for the cat.
Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units.
(3) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.
(4) This section does not apply in relation to—
(a) a dog that is less than 6 months old or a cat that is less than 3 months old; or
(b) a dog or cat born before 21 June 2001; or
(c) a registered racing greyhound.
(5) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this section in relation to a dog or cat if—
(a) the defendant proves that it is less than 28 days since the day the dog or cat first came into the defendant's possession; or
(b) the defendant proves that the defendant—
(i) carries on the business of offering dogs or cats for sale by retail; and
(ii) is keeping the dog or cat for the purpose of offering it for sale; or
(c) a veterinary practitioner certifies in writing that de-sexing the dog or cat would be a serious health risk to the animal.