Power to isolate infective animals and their examination and treatment.

(1) Where an Inspector has reason to believe that any animal is infective, he may, by order in writing, direct the owner or person in charge or having control of such animal,- (a) to keep it where it is for the time being or to remove it or allow it to be removed to such place of isolation or segregation as may be specified in the order; (b) subject it to such treatment as may be specified in the order. Such owner or person in charge or having control of such animal shall comply with such order. (2) Where there is no person in charge or having control of the animal and the owner is either unknown or cannot be ascertained without undue delay or the order cannot be communicated to him without undue delay or the owner or person in charge or having control of the animal fails to comply with the order under sub-section (1) within such time, as in the opinion of the Inspector is reasonable, the Inspector shall seize the animal and remove it to a place of isolation or segregation and may subject it to such treatment as may be necessary. (3) The Inspector shall forthwith report to the Veterinary Officer every order or seizure made under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2). (4) On receipt of a report under sub-section (3), the Veterinary Officer shall as soon as possible, examine the animal and all animals with which it has been in contact or to which it has been in close proximity, and for this purpose may submit any animal to any prescribed test. (5) If, after such examination, the Veterinary Officer,- (a) is of opinion that any animal is not infective, the Inspector shall forthwith return it to the person, who, in his opinion, is entitled to its possession: Provided that where such person cannot, in the opinion of the Inspector, be found, he shall send the animal to the nearest cattlepound or deal with it in such other manner as may be prescribed; (b) certifies in writing that any animal is affected with contagious or infectious disease, the Inspector shall destroy the animal or deal with it in such other manner as may be prescribed; or (c) certifies in writing that any animal is infective, though not affected with contagious or infectious disease, the animal shall be subjected to such treatment, if any, and be otherwise dealt with in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) The decision of the Veterinary Officer whether any animal is infective or has been in contact with or in close proximity with an animal suspected to be affected with contagious or infectious disease shall be final.