Hunters reminded to obey the law over holiday period

A police spokesperson said the warning was issued in response to a recent case of animal cruelty posted online.

He said while hunters may use a dog to find, bail or hold pigs it was "cruel and unacceptable to set a dog onto a pig with the intention that the dog will maul or kill it".

Hunters were also warned to remember:

o dogs must always be under adequate control.

o the hunter must take all necessary steps to ensure their dog does not inflict any unnecessary pain on the pig.

o all dogs being used to hunt must wear a collar which has a metal tag or label attached with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the dog.

o all dogs being used to hunt must be microchipped.

o dogs must not chase any other species of animal.

The welfare of hunting dogs themselves also needed to be considered, the police spokesperson said.

"Hunters should only use dogs that are healthy and in good condition," he said.

"During hunting, dogs can suffer from heat stress, dehydration, tick paralysis as well as cuts and lacerations. If dogs are injured, they should receive prompt first aid or professional treatment.

"For the protection of hunting dogs, it is recommended that all dogs wear a breast plate and radio tracking collar or be on a lead.

"It is essential that hunting dogs are located quickly if lost. Lost or abandoned hunting dogs can become feral, join other wild dogs and have a serious negative impact on livestock and native fauna.

"Hunters found to be adopting unlawful hunting practices will be prosecuted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979."

NSW Police were committed to tracking down, arresting and charging any hunters who abused the law, the spokesperson said, and anyone with information about illegal or cruel hunting practices was urged to contact the NSW Police Force's Rural Crime Investigators.

Specialised Rural Crime investigators could be found across NSW, including in the Orana, Darling River and Castlereagh LACs.