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I just wanted to thank you for representing me on Monday, I was overjoyed & relieved with the outcome. I don’t think it could have gone any better. All the best, I hope you got to celebrate this one instead after work, you forever made a difference in my life.
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I know I thanked you before we parted company but please allow me to reiterate in writing my sincere deepest thanks for defending me in court today. … Armstrong Legal certainly has a great Lawyer you are a credit to the company and I'm quite sure you will secure a very successful future! … My Kindest Regards and Thanks
- Client
Anastasia Qvist is an outstanding lawyer. My criminal law situation (family violence order) was difficult, complex and Ana's diligence saved me as I was going through the most difficult period of my life. Ana is down to earth, commonsense and she even kept our costs to a minimum. She is a skilled litigator and knows the ins and outs of the ACT Magistrates Court. She dealt skillfully with the DPP and is an excellent negotiator. You will get a fair representation and she genuinely cares about her clients. She has my complete recommendation. The lady goes to bat for her clients.
- Client
I would strongly recommend Anastasia to anyone who is seeking legal representation. As a first-time offender who was charged with a Level 2 Drink Driving offence, she walked me through every step of the matter and was very upfront and clear on all aspects of my case. She was always accessible when I needed advice. Her approach and advice were excellent. Under her representation, I received the best possible outcome and managed to avoid a criminal conviction. She was a pleasure to deal with throughout the whole matter.
- Client
Anastasia Qvist was very professional and helpful in every step of my matter. I got a very good outcome and I can’t thank you enough for your hard work and the Armstrong Legal team in Canberra. I would highly recommend her!!!
- Client
Throughout Angela has been the consummate professional. She maintained a calm, yet strong demeanour remained informative and completely open in her communication and took complete ownership of the situation. We felt confident we finally had an advocate to steer us out of the nightmare we were in, and she did so with great respect and sincerity. I cannot speak more highly of Angela. She has literally rescued our family from what looked very much like a hopeless future.
- Client
Words can’t describe how grateful I am to Trudie Cameron being my solicitor and to Andrew Tiedt presenting my case in the court. They both have been very supportive and amazingly professional and effective. I’ve got an absolutely fantastic outcome I couldn’t even dream about.
- Client
Soon after meeting Andrew I knew he was the solicitor I wanted to handle my matter. He immediately sprang into action which brought me stability and hope during a tumultuous time in my life. Andrew was never afraid to give me straight answers to my tough questions which is a true mark of integrity. He is clearly at ease in the court environment and I believe his calm and measured demeanour went a long way to helping me secure the best result from my day in court. I would certainly recommend you approach Andrew if you need assistance.
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"Andrew Tiedt was very professional and considerate to personal circumstances and gave sound advice that resulted in the best outcome possible. Highly recommended."
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This article was written by Michelle Makela - Legal Practice Director
Michelle has over 15 years experience in the legal industry, working across commercial litigation, criminal law, family law and estate planning. Michelle has been involved in all practice areas of the firm and in her personal practice has had experience in litigation at all levels (state and federal industrial tribunals, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, Federal...
Animal Cruelty
In Victoria, animal cruelty carries a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment or 250 penalty units. In the case of a company (body corporate) the maximum penalty is 600 penalty units. More severe penalties apply to aggravated animal cruelty.
The Offence of Animal Cruelty
The offence of animal cruelty is contained in section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 which states:
A person who:
- Wounds, mutilates, tortures, overrides, overdrives, overworks, abuses, beats, worries, torments or terrifies an animal; or
- Loads, crowds or confines an animal where the loading, crowding or confinement of the animal causes, or is likely to cause, unreasonable pain or suffering to the animal; or
- Does or omits to do an act with the result that unreasonable pain or suffering is caused, or is likely to be caused, to an animal; or
- Drives, conveys, carries or packs an animal in a manner or position or in circumstances which subjects or subject, or likely to subject, it to unnecessary pain or suffering; or
- Works, rides, drives or uses an animal when it is unfit for the purpose with the result that unreasonable pain and suffering is caused to the animal; or
- Is the owner or person in charge of an animal which is confined or otherwise unable to provide for itself and fails to provide the animal with proper and sufficient food, drink or shelter; or
- Sells, offers for sale, purchases, drives or conveys an animal that appears to be unfit (because of weakness, emaciation, injury or disease) to be sold, purchased, driven or conveyed; or
- Abandons an animal of a species usually kept in a state of confinement or for a domestic purpose; or
- Is the owner or the person in charge of a sick or injured animal and unreasonably fails to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment for the animal; or
- Except in accordance with other legislation, intentionally administers to an animal or lays a bait for the animal containing –
- A poison; or
- Any other substance which, when administered to that type of animal, has a harmful effect on the animal; or
- Uses spurs with sharpened rowels on an animal; or
- Carries out a prohibited procedure on an animal –
- A poison; or
- Any other substance which, when administered to that type of animal, has a harmful effect on the animal; or
- Uses spurs with sharpened rowels on an animal; or
- Carries out a prohibited procedure on an animal –
Commits an act of cruelty upon that animal and is guilty of an offence and is liable of not more than, in the case of a natural person, 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 12 months or, in the case of a body corporate, 600 penalty units.
What Actions Might Constitute Animal Cruelty?
A person may be charged with animal cruelty based on any of the following actions.
- Abandoning a kitten on the side of the road;
- Packing a truck with too many cattle, causing the animals to struggle to breathe;
- Selling a dog which has an untreated infectious disease.
What the Police Must Prove
To convict a person of animal cruelty, the prosecution must prove each of the following matters beyond a reasonable doubt:
- That the accused either wounded, mutilated, tortured, overrode, overdrove, overworked, abused, beat, worried, tormented, terrified, abandoned, poisoned or caused the unreasonable suffering to an animal; and
- The accsed was the owner of the animal or the person in charge of the animal.
Possible Defences for Animal Cruelty
A person charged with animal cruelty may rely on the following defences.
- They had entered into an agreement with another person by which the other person had agreed to care for the animal;
- The accused acted reasonably or reasonably omitted to do an act in defending themselves or any other person against an animal or against any threat of attack by an animal.
Jurisdiction
This is a summary matter and will be heard in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
If you require legal advice or representation in any legal matter, please contact Armstrong Legal.
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WHERE TO NEXT?
If you suspect that you may be under investigation, or if you have been charged with an offence, it is vital to get competent legal advice as early as possible. Our lawyers are highly specialised in criminal law and will be able to guide you through the process while dealing with the various authorities related to your matter.
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