Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - SECT 24K

Search warrants for premises

24K. Search warrants for premises



(1) A POCTA inspector, with the written approval of the Department Head, may
apply to a magistrate for the issue of a search warrant in relation to
premises (including residential premises), if the inspector believes on
reasonable grounds that there is in or on the premises a thing or things of a
particular kind connected with a contravention of this Act or regulations
under this Act.

(2) If a magistrate is satisfied, by the evidence, on oath or by affidavit, of
the inspector that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is a
thing or things of a particular kind connected with a contravention of this
Act or regulations under this Act in or on any premises, the magistrate may
issue a search warrant, in accordance with the Magistrates' Court Act 1989,
authorising a POCTA inspector named in the warrant, together with any other
person or persons named or otherwise identified in the warrant and with any
necessary equipment-

   (a)  to enter the premises specified in the warrant; and

   (b)  to do all or any of the following-

   (i)  search for;

   (ii) seize;

   (iii) secure against interference;

   (iv) examine, inspect and take and keep samples of or from;

   (v)  take photographs (including video recordings) of- a thing or things of
        a particular kind named or described in the warrant and which the
        inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, to be connected with the
        alleged contravention.