Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - SECT 24T

Provision for recovery or disposal of animals that are not at risk

24T. Provision for recovery or disposal of animals that are not at risk



(1) The owner or person in charge of an animal on whom a notice of seizure has
been served under section 24S(1) and 24S(2) may recover the animal if, within
7 days of service of the notice-

   (a)  the owner or person in charge pays the amount determined by the person
        or body that is retaining the animal for the reasonable costs and
        expenses incurred in seizing and retaining the animal until its
        recovery; and

   (b)  the person or body retaining the animal reasonably believes that the
        animal will not be at risk on being returned to the owner or person in
        charge.

(2) The owner or person in charge of an animal in respect of which a notice of
seizure has been left at or sent to premises under section 24S(3) and 24S(4)
may recover the animal if, within 14 days of notice being left at or sent to
premises-

   (a)  the owner or person in charge pays the amount determined by the person
        or body that is retaining the animal for the reasonable costs and
        expenses incurred in seizing and retaining the animal until its
        recovery; and

   (b)  the person or body retaining the animal reasonably believes that the
        animal will not be at risk on being returned to the owner or person in
        charge.



(3) If a notice of seizure has been left at or sent to premises under section
24S and the animal is not recovered under subsection (1) or (2), the animal
may be disposed of in accordance with this Division.

(4) If an animal has been seized in a public place, and-

   (a)  the welfare of the animal is not reasonably believed to be at risk;
        and

   (b)  it is not possible to send a notice to the last known address of the
        owner or person in charge under section 24S because both the owner and
        person in charge of the animal are not able to be contacted (whether
        or not the identity of the owner and the person in charge of the
        animal are known); and

   (c)  neither the owner nor the person in charge of the animal has recovered
        the animal within 14 days of the seizure of the animal-

the animal may be disposed of in accordance with this Division.