Unattended Livestock

An occupier of private land who impounds an animal and knows or can easily find out the owner’s identity must inform the owner of the animal’s whereabouts within 24 hours of impounding the animal and must then either:

• Immediately have the animal delivered to the livestock pound at the Southern Region Livestock Exchange (SRLX), or

• Keep the animal on the land for a period of not more than 4 days and then (if the animal has not been claimed by its owner) have the animal delivered to SRLX.

The occupier must ensure that any animal kept on the land after it is impounded by them:

• Is provided with adequate food, water and veterinary care, and

• Is kept in a place that is well drained and maintained in a clean condition, and

• Is provided with adequate shade for the climatic conditions, and

• Is kept secure, and

• Is separated from other animals that are diseased or, if the animal is or appears to be diseased, is kept separate from other animals.

If the owner of the animal claims the animal, the occupier must do one of the following:

• Release or send the animal to its owner on payment in full of the appropriate charge,

• If the animal’s owner declines to pay the appropriate charge—have the animal delivered to the SRLX,

• Release or send the animal to its owner without payment in full of the appropriate charge.

If the occupier releases or sends the animal to its owner without the appropriate charge having been paid in full and the owner does not within 7 days pay the occupier the appropriate charge in full and any costs of transporting the animal to its owner, the occupier may recover the charge and costs from the owner as a debt. 

The appropriate charge is an amount not exceeding:

• The expenses actually incurred in providing the animal with food, water and veterinary care, and

• The cost of rectifying any loss or damage attributable to the trespassing of the animal.

An occupier of private land who fails to comply with these guidelines may commit an offence under the Impounding Act 1993 and may be subject to fines or prosecution.

Council encourages livestock owners to maintain good fencing to ensure that their stock do not escape and to keep in touch with neighbouring properties in case they do.

If necessary though, an occupier of private land may impound any animal that is trespassing on the land. 

Council will send an impound notice to the owner of impounded livestock. The notice will outline the applicable fees that need to be paid at the Civic Centre before the livestock can be reclaimed.

Fees may include:

• An impound fee, 

• Transport costs, 

• Maintenance charges

• Any applicable veterinary costs

Once you have a receipt, you can contact the SRLX on 02 4868 1507 or saleyards@wsc.nsw.gov.au to reclaim your animal. 

If you are unable to transport the animal safely on your own, livestock transport providers can be found in the Yellow Pages.