Terms and acronyms
Animal: Under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, an animal is defined as a live amphibian, reptile, bird or mammal other than a human. This includes companion animals, native animals, livestock, animals in zoos and animals used for research and teaching but does not extend to invertebrates (for example, insects, cephalopods, crustaceans) or fish.
AEC (Animal Ethics Committee): A committee constituted in accordance with the terms of reference set out in the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.
Animal welfare: The physical and psychological well-being of animals.
AWA: Animal Welfare Act 2002.
AWAC: Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.
Companion animal: A pet, or other domestic animal.
Compliance: The state of according with, or meeting, rules or standards.
Direction notice: A written direction issued under sections 40, 47, 49 or 50 of the Animal Welfare Act 2002. A penalty applies for failure to comply.
DPIRD: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Enforcement: The act of compelling compliance with a law, rule, or obligation.
Exhibited animals: The display, or the keeping for display, of an animal for educational, cultural, scientific, entertainment or other purposes, but does not include the display, or the keeping for display, of an animal solely in connection with the sale or intended sale of the animal, or for scientific use of an animal (within the meaning of the Animal Welfare Act 2002).
Harm: As defined in the Animal Welfare Act 2002, harm includes; injury, pain and distress evidenced by severe, abnormal physiological or behavioural reactions.
Humane: Having or showing compassion or benevolence. In comparison, inhumane is lacking compassion for misery or suffering.
Infringement notices: A modified penalty, usually in the form of a fine, which can be applied to certain offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
Legislation: Law, often considered collectively, which has been enacted by a governing body, or is in process of doing so.
Livestock: For the purposes of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 the following animals are considered to be livestock (as set out in the Livestock Transport Standards and Guidelines):
- goat (Capra spp.)
- sheep (Ovis spp.)
- cattle (Bos spp.)
- buffalo (Bubalus spp.) (incl buffalo cattle hybrids)
- deer (Cervus timorensis russa - rusa, Cervus unicolour - sambar, Dama dama - fallow, Cervus elaphus - red, Cervus elaphus canadensis - elk) and their hybrids
- emu (Dromaius novae-hollandiae)
- ostrich (Struthio camelus)
- poultry (Gallus gallus domesticus - domestic chickens; Meleagris gallopavo – turkeys; Anser anser – geese; Anas spp. and Cairina moschata – ducks; Numida meleagris - guinea fowls; Coturnix japonica – quails; Columba livia – pigeons; Syrmaticus spp., Lophura spp., Phasianus spp., Chrysolophus spp. and Lophophorus spp. - pheasants and partridges
- pig (Sus spp.)
- alpaca (Vicugna pacos)
- horse (Equus caballus or Equus asinus) and their hybrids
- camel (Camelus dromedarius).
LTS: Land Transport Standards and Guidelines or Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines – Land Transport of Livestock.
Prosecution: The conduct of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
Reviewable decision: Certain decisions made by an inspector or the Minister for Agriculture and Food (in relation to the scientific use of animals) can be reviewed by the Minister or the State Administrative Tribunal under sections 71 to 74 of the Animal Welfare Act 2002.
RSPCA: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Western Australia (Incorporated).
SOP (Standard Operating Procedures): A set of directions detailing what actions could be taken, as well as how, when, by whom and why for specific event tasks.