Section 14 in The West Bengal Livestock Improvement Act, 1954
14. Power of Livestock Officer regarding ownerless or abandoned bulls.
- If the Livestock Officer has reason to believe that a bull, not being a dedicated bull, has no owner, or has been abandoned by its owner, he shall have the power to seize and inspect the bull.(2)(a)If, on inspection, he is satisfied that the bull is fit for certification as an approved bull, he shall certify and brand the bull and also issue a notice in the prescribed manner calling upon the owner of the bull, if any, to file a claim within a specified period of time which shall not be less than fifteen days.(b)If a claim is filed within the specified period and, if on making such enquiries as may be considered necessary, the Livestock Officer finds that the claim has been substantiated, he shall cause the bull to be returned to the claimant on the claimant making payment of such amount not exceeding twenty rupees, as the Livestock Officer may direct, on account of the costs of the seizure and maintenance of the bull and the publication of the notice under clause (a).(c)If no claim is filed, or if the Livestock Officer, after making such enquiries as may be considered necessary, rejects the claim, or if the claimant fails to pay the amount which the Livestock Officer has directed him to pay under clause (b), the Livestock Officer shall direct that the bull be forfeited to Government.(3)(a)If, on inspection, the Livestock Officer is satisfied that the bull is not fit to be certified as an approved bull, he shall have the bull castrated and branded in the prescribed manner and sell it by public auction and keep the sale-proceeds in deposit.(b)Any person claiming to be the owner of the bull so seized and sold, may file a claim before the Livestock Officer within three months from the date of the sale.(c)If, on making such enquiries as may be considered necessary, the Livestock Officer finds that the claim has been substantiated, he shall direct the sale-proceeds to be paid to the claimant after deduction of an amount, not exceeding fifty rupees, as he may assess as the expenditure incurred for the seizure and maintenance of the bull, the publication of the notice and the holding of the auction under clause (a).(d)If no claim is filed within the period of three months from the date of sale, or if on making such enquiries as may be considered necessary the Livestock Officer finds that the claim has not been substantiated, the Livestock Officer shall direct that the sale-proceeds be forfeited to Government.
