18 Powers in relation to animals in distress
(1) If an inspector or a constable reasonably believes that a protected animal is
suffering, he may take, or arrange for the taking of, such steps as appear to him
to be immediately necessary to alleviate the animal’s suffering.
(2) Subsection (1) does not authorise destruction of an animal.
(3) If a veterinary surgeon certifies that the condition of a protected animal is such
that it should in its own interests be destroyed, an inspector or a constable
may—
(a) destroy the animal where it is or take it to another place and destroy it
there, or
(b) arrange for the doing of any of the things mentioned in paragraph (a).
(4) An inspector or a constable may act under subsection (3) without the certificate
of a veterinary surgeon if it appears to him—
(a) that the condition of the animal is such that there is no reasonable
alternative to destroying it, and
(b) that the need for action is such that it is not reasonably practicable to
wait for a veterinary surgeon.
(5) An inspector or a constable may take a protected animal into possession if a
veterinary surgeon certifies—
(a) that it is suffering, or
(b) that it is likely to suffer if its circumstances do not change.
(6) An inspector or a constable may act under subsection (5) without the certificate
of a veterinary surgeon if it appears to him—
(a) that the animal is suffering or that it is likely to do so if its circumstances
do not change, and
(b) that the need for action is such that it is not reasonably practicable to
wait for a veterinary surgeon.
(7) The power conferred by subsection (5) includes power to take into possession
dependent offspring of an animal taken into possession under that subsection.
(8) Where an animal is taken into possession under subsection (5), an inspector or
a constable may—
(a) remove it, or arrange for it to be removed, to a place of safety;
(b) care for it, or arrange for it to be cared for—
(i) on the premises where it was being kept when it was taken into
possession, or
(ii) at such other place as he thinks fit;
(c) mark it, or arrange for it to be marked, for identification purposes.
(9) A person acting under subsection (8)(b)(i), or under an arrangement under that
provision, may make use of any equipment on the premises.
(10) A veterinary surgeon may examine and take samples from an animal for the
purpose of determining whether to issue a certificate under subsection (3) or
(5) with respect to the animal.