Hazard Knowledge

A person with responsibility for an animal may commit an offence if an act, or failure to act, causes an animal to suffer unnecessarily. Therefore, in the absence of veterinary assistance, and to prevent the condition of the animal worsening, common first aid techniques used for people can be adapted and used for injuries such as:

• Wounds – punctures, incisions or grazes
• Burns – chemical or heat
• Smoke inhalation

If a companion animal is involved in a hazardous materials incident, see Hazardous materials: Contaminated members of the public for further information.