Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - SECT 24D

Emergency powers of veterinary practitioners and superintendents of saleyards

24D. Emergency powers of veterinary practitioners and superintendents of
saleyards



(1) A veterinary practitioner may, with any assistance that is necessary,
destroy any animal-

   (a)  that is behaving in such a manner and there are such circumstances
        that the veterinary practitioner reasonably believes that the animal
        is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or another
        animal; or

   (b)  that is abandoned, distressed or disabled if the veterinary
        practitioner reasonably believes that the animal's condition is such
        that it would continue to suffer if it remained alive.

(2) A superintendent of a saleyard may, with any assistance that is necessary,
destroy any animal in any saleyard in the municipal district in respect of
which the superintendent is appointed-

   (a)  that is behaving in such a manner and there are such circumstances
        that the superintendent reasonably believes that the animal is likely
        to cause death or serious injury to any person or another animal; or

   (b)  that is abandoned, distressed or disabled if the superintendent
        reasonably believes that the animal's condition is such that it would
        continue to suffer if it remained alive.

(3) In this section, superintendent of a saleyard means the person in charge
of a livestock saleyard.

Division 3-Search for and seizure of animals, warrants and authorisations