Northern Territory Numbered Acts Northern Territory Numbered Acts(1) The minimum level of care for an animal is the level of care required to ensure that the animal:
(a) has appropriate and sufficient food and water; and
(b) has appropriate accommodation and living conditions; and
(c) is appropriately treated for disease or an injury, or when suffering; and
(d) is allowed appropriate exercise; and
(e) is handled only in ways that are appropriate; and
(f) is confined or restrained only in ways that are appropriate; and
(g) is worked, ridden or otherwise used only in ways that are appropriate; and
(h) is not abandoned; and
(i) is not used in an organised animal fight.
(2) Something is appropriate for an animal if it is appropriate to ensure the welfare of the animal having regard to all relevant circumstances, including the animal's species and the environment in which the animal is kept or lives.
(3) Something is not appropriate for an animal if:
(a) it causes, is likely to cause, contributes to, or is likely to contribute to the animal suffering that is unjustifiable, unnecessary or unreasonable in the circumstances; or
(b) it is prescribed by regulation as being not appropriate.