Victorian Current Acts

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 1986 - SECT 24

    (1)     If a POCTA inspector suspects on reasonable grounds that there is on any premises (that is not a person's dwelling) an animal that is abandoned, distressed or disabled the inspector may, with any assistance that is necessary—

        (a)     enter the premises;

        (b)     if the inspector finds any animal on the premises that the inspector reasonably believes is abandoned, distressed or disabled—

              (i)     destroy the animal, if the inspector reasonably believes that the animal's condition is such that it would continue to suffer if it remained alive; or

              (ii)     immediately seize the animal, if the inspector reasonably believes that the animal's welfare is at risk; or

              (iii)     leave notice at the premises that the inspector intends to seize the animal at the end of two days after the giving of the notice, if the inspector is not contacted by the owner or person in charge of the animal within that period.

    (2)     If an inspector has left a notice at premises under subsection (1)(b)(iii), and if, on the expiry of the two day period specified in the notice, the inspector has not been contacted by the owner or person in charge of the animal the inspector may, with any assistance that is necessary—

        (a)     enter the premises;

        (b)     search for and seize the animal.

S. 24AA inserted by No. 60/2015 s. 13.