Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 - SECT 24W

Power to dispose of animal at risk not claimed by owner or person in charge

24W. Power to dispose of animal at risk not claimed by owner or person in
charge



(1) If an animal has been seized from premises, and the welfare of the animal
is reasonably believed to be at risk, and if within 14 days of-

   (a)  a notice being served on the owner or person in charge of the animal
        under section 24U(1) and 24U(2); or

   (b)  a notice being-

   (i)  left at the premises or sent to the premises under section 24U(3) and
        24U(4); or

   (ii) sent by post to the last known address of the owner or person in
        charge of the animal under section 24U(3) and 24U(4) (where the
        address is known)- whichever is the later- the owner or person in
        charge of the animal has not contacted the inspector identified in the
        notice, the animal may be disposed of in accordance with this
        Division.

(2) If an animal has been seized in a public place, and the welfare of the
animal is reasonably believed to be at risk, and-

   (a)  a notice has been served on the owner of the animal under section
        24U(1) and 24U(2) and neither the owner nor person in charge of the
        animal has contacted the inspector identified in the notice, within 7
        days of service of the notice, the animal may be disposed of in
        accordance with this Division; or

   (b)  a notice has been sent by post to the last known address of the owner
        or person in charge of the animal under section 24U(3) and 24U(4), and
        neither the owner nor person in charge of the animal has contacted the
        inspector identified in the notice, within 14 days of the sending of
        the notice, the animal may be disposed of in accordance with this
        Division.

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

   (a)  the welfare of the animal is 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 24U 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 contacted
        the inspector who seized the animal within 14 days of the seizure-

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