Clause 39

Whenever a veterinary authority reasonably suspects that any animal may be infected with rabies or has been exposed to rabies infection he may, in his discretion, either cause the animal to be destroyed forthwith or may give written directions to the owner or person in charge of such animal requiring such owner or person to take it forthwith to any animal quarantine station for detention and observation.

If the owner or person in charge of any such animal fails to comply with such written directions the veterinary authority may forthwith either cause the animal to be destroyed or take possession of the animal and remove it to an animal quarantine station.

The veterinary authority may either destroy any such animal in the animal quarantine station or may detain it until he is satisfied that it is free from disease.

A veterinary authority may take possession of the body of any animal that has died or has been destroyed and which is reasonably suspected to have been infected with rabies and may dispose of it in such manner as he may think fit.

No compensation shall be payable to any person in respect of the destruction of any animal under the provisions of subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section.

Any person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with any written direction given under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Ordinance and shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

For the purposes of this section “animal” means any four-footed beast in captivity or under control.