Chapter IV INFECTED ANIMALS

1. (1) Where the Veterinarian has, on receipt of a report or otherwise, reason to believe that any animal is infected with a scheduled disease, he may, by order in writing, direct the owner or any other person in charge of such animal—
   • (a) to keep it segregated from other apparently healthy animals; or
   • (b) to subject it to such treatment as may be required under the circumstances.
2. (2) Where any action has been taken in pursuance of sub-section (1), the Veterinarian shall forthwith give a detailed report of the incidence of the disease to the Veterinary Officer.
3. (3) On receipt of a report from the Veterinarian, the Veterinary Officer shall, as soon as possible, examine that animal as well as any other animal which could have come in contact with it, and for that purpose, submit the animal to such test and medical examination as may be required under the circumstances.
4. (4) If, after such test and examination, the Veterinary Officer is of the opinion that an animal is not infected with any of the scheduled diseases, he shall issue a certificate in writing that the animal is not infected with any such disease.

1. (1) Where the Veterinary Officer considers it necessary for the purpose of ascertaining whether the animal which is suspected to have been infected with any scheduled disease or susceptible to such infection is actually infected, or for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the scheduled disease with which an animal is infected, he may draw such samples, as may be required, from the animal for the purpose of carrying out such investigations as he may deem necessary under the circumstances.
2. (2) The Veterinary Officer or any other Competent Officer shall draw samples from any animal for the purposes of ascertaining whether the animal has been vaccinated against any disease, or whether the vaccination of the animal has been effective in conferring it immunity and have the samples examined, in such manner as he may deem necessary.

If the Veterinary Officer deems it necessary that an animal, which is infected with a scheduled disease, euthanasia has to be resorted to, for preventing the spread of the disease to other animals in the area or to protect public health if the disease is of zoonotic importance, he may, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, by an order in writing, direct euthanasia of the animal and the carcass disposed of immediately to his satisfaction.

Every person in possession of carcass (or any part thereof) of any animal, which, at the time of its death, was infected with any scheduled disease or was suspected to have been infected, shall 1[dispose of it] in such manner as may be prescribed 2[by the Central Government].

(1)

Where the Veterinary Officer or any Veterinarian has reason to believe that the death of an animal has been caused by an infection of any scheduled disease, he may make or cause to be made a post-mortem examination of the animal and for that purpose he may cause the carcass of any such animal to be exhumed where required followed by proper disposal after necessary examination and post-mortem.

1. (2) Every examination and post-mortem referred to in sub-section (1) shall be conducted in such manner, and the report of post-mortem shall be in such form, as may be prescribed 2[by the Central Government].

Where any animal which is infected or suspected to have been infected is found without any person claiming to be its owner, or where a valid order or direction given in relation to any such animal is not promptly complied with by the owner or other person in control of the animal, it shall be open to the Veterinary Officer or any other Competent Officer, to seize the animal and remove it to a place of isolation or segregation, as he may deem proper.