14. Power to isolate, seize and destroy or otherwise of infective horse.
- Whenever a Veterinary Officer receives report under Section 13 or whenever he has reason to believe that any horse within his jurisdiction is infective, he shall, as soon as practicable proceed to the place where the horse is kept and examine it and inquire into the circumstances of the case.(2)Where the Veterinary Officer, after due examination of the horse or all horses with which the infective horse has been in contact or to which it has been in close proximity, and such inquiry into the circumstances of the case as may be necessary, is of opinion that such horse is infective, he may, by order in writing, direct the owner or person in charge or having control of such horse,-(a)to keep it where it is for the time being or to remove it or to allow it to be removed to such place of isolation or segregation or to a close place as may be specified in the order;(b)to subject it to such treatment as may be specified in the order;(c)to subject it to such test or examination as may be prescribed :Provided that where there is no person in charge of the horse and the owner is either unknown and cannot be ascertained without undue delay or the order cannot be communicated to the owner without undue delay or the owner or person in charge or having control of the horse refuses to comply with the order under this sub-section within such time as, in the opinion of the Veterinary Officer, reasonable, the Veterinary Officer may seize the horse and remove it to a place of isolation, segregation or to a closed place.(3)If after such examination and test the Veterinary Officer,-(a)is of opinion that any horse is not infective, he shall return it to the owner or to the person who, in his opinion is entitled to its possession :Provided that where such owner or person cannot, in the opinion of the Veterinary Officer, be found after reasonable inquiry, he shall send the horse to the nearest cattle pound or deal with it in such other manner as may be prescribed; or(b)certifies in writing that any horse is affected with horse sickness the horse shall be destroyed or dealt with in such manner as may be prescribed.(4)The Veterinary Officer shall forthwith report every order of seizure under this section to such authority as may be prescribed.
