(1)Any Police officer who in any street place, other than a place of worship, finds any animal other than a cow or bull so diseased, or so severely wounded and in such a physical condition that in his opinion it cannot without cruelty be removed therefrom, shall, if the owner of the animal is absent or does not consent to the destruction of the animal at once summon the Veterinary officer of the area in which the animal is found and if the Veterinary officer certifies that the animal is so mortally wounded or severally diseased or in such a physical condition that it is cruel to keep it alive, the said Police officer may, without the permission of the owner destroy the animal or cause it to be destroyed. But if the Veterinary Practitioner is of opinion that the animal can be removed from the place where it is found without causing it great suffering and if the owner or person in charge of the animal or in his absence any other person present on the spot, is willing or offers to remove the animal to the nearest veterinary hospital in such time as the veterinary practitioner considers reasonable, the Veterinary Practitioner shall allow the animal to be so removed. If the owner or person in charge of the animal or any other person does not consent or fails so to remove the animal, the Veterinary Practitioner may direct the Police Officer to remove the animal before it is destroyed to such place as he may think it.Provided that when any animal is destroyed in any street or public place it shall, as far as possible, be screened from the public gaze while it is being destroyed.Explanation:- For the purpose of this Section the word "bull" shall not be deemed to include "bullock".
