Provided that killing of a cow by accident or in self defence will not be considered as slaughter under the Act.

Exceptions Exceptions.—

1. (1) Nothing in section 3 shall apply to the slaughter of a cow,—
   • (a) whose suffering is such as to render its destruction desirable according to the certificate of the Veterinary Officer of the area or such other Officer of the Animal Husbandry Department as may be prescribed; or
   • (b) which is suffering from any contagious or infectious disease notified as such by the Government; or
   • (c) which is subjected to experimentation in the interest of medical and public health research by a certified medical practitioner of the Animal Husbandry Department.
2. (2) Where it is intended to slaughter a cow for the reasons specified in clause
   • (a) or clause
   • (b) of sub-section (1), it shall be incumbent for a person doing so to obtain the prior permission in writing of the Veterinary Officer of the area or such other Officer of the Animal Husbandry Department as may be prescribed.