Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - SECT 24U

Steps to be taken where welfare of animal is at risk

24U. Steps to be taken where welfare of animal is at risk



(1) If an animal has been seized under this Part and-

   (a)  if, after taking all reasonable steps under section 24R, either the
        owner or the person in charge of the animal is able to be contacted;
        and

   (b)  the person who seized the animal reasonably believes that the welfare
        of the animal is at risk; and





   (c)  application has been or is proposed to be made under section 24X-

the person who seized the animal must serve a notice of seizure under this
section on the person who is able to be contacted, or cause such a notice to
be served in accordance with subsection (2).

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the notice must-

   (a)  be served either personally or by post; and

   (b)  if the animal has been seized under a warrant under section 24G, be
        served on or before the expiry of the time for which possession of the
        animal may be retained under the warrant.

(3) If an animal has been seized under this Part and-

   (a)  if, after taking all reasonable steps under section 24R, 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 person in charge of the
        animal are known); and

   (b)  the person who seized the animal reasonably believes that the welfare
        of the animal is at risk; and

   (c)  application has been or is proposed to be made under section 24X-

the person who seized the animal must serve a notice of seizure in accordance
with subsection (4).





(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), the notice must-

   (a)  if the animal has been seized from premises, be left at the premises
        from which the animal was seized or be sent by post to those premises;
        and

   (b)  (whether the animal has been seized from premises or in a public
        place) be sent by post to any last known address of the owner and of
        the person in charge of the animal; and

   (c)  if the animal has been seized under a warrant under section 24G, be
        sent on or before the expiry of the time for which possession of the
        animal may be retained under the warrant.

(5) For the purposes of this section, a notice of seizure is a notice in
writing that sets out-

   (a)  a description of the animal; and

   (b)  the name of the inspector who seized the animal, the inspector's
        contact details and the reason why the animal has been seized; and

   (c)  that the animal will be disposed of in accordance with this Division
        if the owner or person in charge of the animal does not contact the
        inspector within 14 days after the notice is left at or sent to the
        premises.