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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Explain the application of animal cruelty legislation 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261590  Explain the application of animal cruelty legislation 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Animal Protection Standards 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation Nature Conservation 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
In many cases of animal cruelty, animal protection inspectors have the same powers as those of a police officer. South African animal cruelty legislation is amongst the best in the world and it is vital that inspectors are made aware of these powers so as to minimize ignorance and abuse of these powers by relevant Officers. A thorough knowledge of the legislation is essential, particularly the Act that deals with cruelty to animals. This unit standard addresses that need and learners accredited with it will be able to:
  • Explain the powers of court and possible consequences to an offender.
  • Explain special powers conferred by the legislation.
  • Identify and understand the relevant legislation pertaining to animal welfare.
  • Give examples of animal cruelty offences in respect of:
    > Activities done to and with animals.
    > Equipment used on animals. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Awareness of legislation pertaining to animals.
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the significance of "definitions" and other terminology used in animal cruelty legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The term "animal" is explained as defined in the legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The term "owner" is explained as defined in the legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The meaning of the term "police officer" is explained in terms of relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The terms "cruelly", "unnecessary", "unnecessarily", "necessary", "unreasonably" and "immediate" are explained in terms of opportunities and difficulties within animal cruelty legislation. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe offences included under animal cruelty legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Things done to animals are described in terms of how they could be constituted as an offence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Necessities of which animals may be deprived are described in terms of how they could be constituted as an offence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Exceptions that allow certain cruel practices are identified in accordance with relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Circumstances are explained when it is an offence for an owner not to destroy an animal or cause it to be destroyed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Attachments to animals that may cause problems are identified in terms of the type of problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Cruel behaviour when liberating birds is described in terms of actions and conditions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The laying, clearing and selling of traps is described in terms of the methods employed and the effect on different animals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    "Abandonment" is described in terms of how it constitutes an offence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Circumstances are described in which killing specific animals is an offence. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the possible consequences of being found guilty of an animal cruelty offence. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    What may happen to an animal by direction of the court is described in terms of actions and results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible directions given by the court against an offender are described in connection with ownership of an animal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Circumstances in which the court may award damages are described with reference to legislation and past practices. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The way in which the court may treat a vexatious complainant is described in terms of legislation and past practices. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the circumstances under which a police officer or others may destroy an animal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Circumstances are described in which a police officer may legitimately decide to destroy an animal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An explanation is given of what a police officer must do having decided, in the absence of the owner, to destroy an animal. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods and other aspects of destruction of animals are described as allowed by the law. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The basis for a veterinarian to destroy an animal is described in accordance with relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Circumstances are described in which people, who are not police officers or veterinarians, may destroy an animal. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the powers of officers of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The process of seeking authority for special powers for an animal protection inspector is described in terms of relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The circumstance in which entry to premises may be made is explained under these special powers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The procedures to gain entry are described in accordance with organisational requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The circumstances under which an arrest may be made are explained in accordance with relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    An explanation is given of what may be seized and what must happen to things that are seized. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Types of offences that are regarded as obstructions to an inspector are identified in terms of relevant legislation. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessment of this unit standard should be contextual and practical.
  • Assessors and moderators must be registered with the relevant accredited ETQA.
  • Assessors should be in possession of a relevant qualification that is at least one level higher than the level of this unit standard or have at least 5 years relevant practical experience.
  • Training providers must be accredited by a relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment should include both formative and summative assessment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • A thorough knowledge of the Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962.
  • Knowledge of other legislation regarding animal cruelty.
  • An understanding of the responsible use of the legislation.
  • Communication skills at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking when deciding which part of the legislation to invoke. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when reading the legislation and checking one's understanding of its import in particular situations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when considering the various sections of the legislation that may be relevant to a particular situation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using oral and written language skills when explaining the details of animal cruelty legislation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Understand the world as a set of related systems when considering the impact of alternative offences with which an offender may be charged. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65229   Further Education and Training Certificate: Animal Protection  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30  LG SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.