AHIC Announcement
The AHIC would like to bring to your attention an important issue regarding
identification in the Revision of the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Horses, which is
under the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.
The revision of the Code has reached its final draft and is to be presented to the
Minister prior to being tabled in Parliament.
In the section on Identification (see below) horses must not be branded using corrosive
chemicals or hot irons under the minimum standards to avoid cruelty to animals.
Whilst this revision of the Code is yet to be presented to Parliament it may be prudent
for breed societies and organizations which currently use hot irons for identification
purposes to consider an alternative method for the benefit at lest of their Victorian
members.
Identification
Minimum Standards
S16.1Horses must not be branded using corrosive chemicals or hot irons.
S16.2Microchips must be inserted by a registered veterinary practitioner in accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Guidelines
G16.1 Microchipping with animal owner details recorded on a Victorian Government licensed microchip registry, freeze-branding, DNA profiling and blood type profiling are acceptable methods of permanent identification.
G16.2 Hoof fire branding is acceptable as a short-term procedure.
G16.3 Horses should be permanently identified as early as management practices will allow, by persons experienced and proficient in performing the procedure.
G16.4 Where horses are kept at unoccupied premises, the contact details of the person in charge of the horse should be clearly displayed.
G 16.5Horse owners should regularly check that their contact details are correctly recorded with the licensed animal microchip identification registry. This information will be available two days after the horse has been microchipped.
G 16.6In accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, microchips must be inserted into the nuchal ligament halfway along the left hand side of the horse’s neck.