Northern Territory Numbered Acts Northern Territory Numbered Acts(1) A veterinarian may destroy an animal, or cause it to be destroyed, if the veterinarian is of the opinion that:
(a) the animal is so severely injured, or diseased, or in such poor physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive; and
(b) the animal:
(i) would not otherwise be destroyed; or
(ii) would be destroyed in a way that is likely to cause or contribute to unnecessary suffering.
(2) The destruction of the animal must be done in a way that causes the animal to die quickly and without unnecessary suffering.
(3) Before acting under subsection (2), a veterinarian may first remove the animal to a place the veterinarian considers appropriate for the purpose.
(4) A veterinarian who exercises a power under this section is entitled to receive from a person in control of the animal the reasonable costs incurred in exercising the power and may recover those costs as a debt owed to the veterinarian.