Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965

Care of impounded animals.

6.—For section 7 of the Principal Act there shall be substituted the following section :—

“7.—(1) It shall be the duty of any person who impounds or confines, or causes to be impounded or confined, any animal in any pound—

(a) if the animal is kept in the pound for a period exceeding three hours, to ensure that a sufficient quantity of wholesome drinking water is supplied for its use, and

(b) if the animal is kept in the pound for a period exceeding six hours, to ensure that a sufficient quantity of suitable food is supplied for its use not later than six hours after its admission to the pound and thereafter at intervals not exceeding twelve hours, as long as it remains in the pound.

(2) Any person who fails to comply with any of the provisions of the preceding subsection shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding ten pounds in respect of each animal deprived of water or food.

(3) A person charged with an offence under this section in respect of failure to supply any animal with food shall not be guilty thereof:—

(a) by reason of the animal's not having been fed in the morning or afternoon in which it is slaughtered;

(b) where the animal is slaughtered for butcher's meat in any morning or afternoon, by reason of its not having been fed in the preceding afternoon or, as the case may be, the preceding morning; or

(c) where it is proved that it was intended that the animal should be slaughtered for butcher's meat in any particular morning or afternoon, by reason of its not having been fed in the preceding afternoon or, as the case may be, the preceding morning.

(4) In subsection (3) of this section the expressions ‘morning’ and ‘afternoon’ mean respectively the parts of a day from midnight to noon and from noon to midnight.

(5) If any animal is impounded or confined in any pound for six successive hours or longer and is without such food or water as is required by subsection (1) of this section to be supplied, any person may enter the pound for the purpose of supplying the animal therewith.

(6) The reasonable cost of the food and water supplied to any animal impounded or confined in any pound shall be recoverable from the owner or other person responsible for the animal's maintenance as a civil debt.

(7) This section shall not apply to the confinement of any animal in any slaughterhouse within the meaning of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1935 .”