Australian Capital Territory Consolidated Acts

ANIMAL DISEASES ACT 2005 - SECT 29

    (1)     The chief veterinary officer may, in writing, direct an authorised person or someone else to destroy—

        (a)     an infected animal; or

        (b)     an infected animal product or other thing; or

        (c)     infected premises (other than a dwelling).

    (2)     The chief veterinary officer may give a direction under subsection (1) only if the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary to give the direction to prevent or control the spread of an exotic disease.

    (3)     A direction may state how the animal, thing or premises must be destroyed.

    (4)     The chief veterinary officer must give a copy of a direction to the owner or person apparently in charge of the animal, thing or premises—

        (a)     before the direction is carried out unless—

              (i)     after reasonable search and inquiry the owner or person apparently in charge cannot be found; and

              (ii)     the chief veterinary officer considers that the circumstances require the immediate destruction of the animal, thing or premises; or

        (b)     in any other case—as soon as practicable after the direction is carried out.

    (5)     A person commits an offence if the person fails to take all reasonable steps to comply with a direction given to the person under subsection (1).

Maximum penalty: 50 penalty units, imprisonment for 6 months or both.

    (6)     Subsection (4) and (5) do not apply to an authorised person.