Procedure for preferring complaint against seizure

Any person whose animals shall have been seized as being diseased may prefer a complaint against the seizure, at any time within ten days from the date thereof, to any Magistrate. The complaint may be either verbal, in which case the substance of it shall be taken down in writing by the Magistrate, or written upon plain paper, and shall be preferred by the complainant in person, or by an agent personally acquainted with the circumstances. If, on examination of the complainant or his agent, the Magistrate shall see reason to believe the complaint to be well founded, he shall summon the party complained against, and shall proceed to make a summary inquiry into the case. If the seizure be adjudged illegal, the Magistrate shall award to the complainant such damages as he may deem to be a reasonable compensation for any loss or injury sustained from the unlawful seizure, together with all expenses incurred by the complainant in procuring the release of the animals; or, if the animals have not been released, the Magistrate, in addition to the award of damages, shall make an order for their release, and shall direct that the expenses leviable under this Act shall be paid by the party who made the seizure. The amount of all damages and expenses so awarded shall be recoverable according to the process prescribed in Act No.