Acts and Regulations

S-12 - Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

Section 16
Disposition versions

Full text
Seizure of animals
16(1)Where an animal has been seized under this Act, the animal protection officer shall within 3 business days notify the owner or make reasonable attempts to identify and notify the owner if the owner is not known,
(a) that the animal has been seized by the animal protection officer, and
(b) of the costs that have been incurred or will be incurred in the care and treatment of the animal.
16(2)The owner of a seized animal is liable to pay the costs incurred in the care and treatment of the seized animal.
16(3)Where the owner of an animal seized under paragraph 15(1)(a) is identified, the owner may reclaim the animal 3 business days after receipt of the notice under subsection (1) if the costs of the care and treatment of the animal are paid unless a prosecution is commenced in respect of the animal.
16(3.1)Where the owner of an animal seized under paragraph 15(1)(b) is identified, the owner may reclaim the animal 15 days after the seizure if the costs of the care and treatment of the animal are paid unless a prosecution is commenced in respect of the animal.
16(4)The ownership of an animal seized under paragraph 15(1)(a) vests in the society if the owner
(a) cannot be identified within 3 business days after the seizure, or
(b) does not reclaim the animal 3 business days after receipt of the notice under subsection (1) and does not pay the costs incurred in respect of the care and treatment of the animal.
16(4.1)The ownership of an animal seized under paragraph 15(1)(b) vests in the society if the owner
(a) cannot be identified within 3 business days after the seizure, or
(b) does not reclaim the animal 15 days after the seizure and does not pay the costs incurred in respect of the care and treatment of the animal.
16(5)An animal protection officer may, before the 3 day period referred to in paragraph (4)(b) expires, release to the owner an animal seized under paragraph 15(1)(a) that has been placed under care if, in the opinion of the animal protection officer, the animal will be properly cared for by the owner and if no prosecution is commenced in respect of the animal.
16(5.1)An animal protection officer may, before the 15 day period referred to in paragraph (4.1)(b) expires, release to the owner an animal seized under paragraph 15(1)(b) that has been placed under care if, in the opinion of the animal protection officer, the animal will be properly cared for by the owner and if no prosecution is commenced in respect of the animal.
16(6)Any amount for which a person is liable for the costs incurred in respect of the care and treatment of a seized animal under this Act is a debt due by that person.
R.S., c.214, s.16; 1958, c.52, s.2, 3; 1997, c.27, s.5; 2008, c.35, s.5
Seizure of animals
16(1)Where an animal has been seized under this Act, the animal protection officer shall within five days notify the owner or make reasonable attempts to identify and notify the owner if the owner is not known,
(a) that the animal has been seized by the animal protection officer, and
(b) of the costs that have been incurred or will be incurred in the care and treatment of the animal.
16(2)The owner of a seized animal is liable to pay the costs incurred in the care and treatment of the seized animal.
16(3)Where the owner of a seized animal is identified, the owner may reclaim the animal thirty days after the seizure if the costs of the care and treatment of the animal are paid unless a prosecution is commenced in respect of the animal.
16(4)Where the owner of a seized animal cannot be identified within five days after the seizure or where an owner does not reclaim the seized animal thirty days after the seizure and does not pay the costs incurred in respect of the care and treatment of the animal, the ownership of the animal vests in the society.
16(5)An animal protection officer may release a seized animal that has been placed under care to the owner before the thirty day period referred to in subsection (4) if, in the opinion of the animal protection officer, the animal will be properly cared for by the owner and if no prosecution is commenced in respect of the animal.
16(6)Any amount for which a person is liable for the costs incurred in respect of the care and treatment of a seized animal under this Act is a debt due by that person.
R.S., c.214, s.16; 1958, c.52, s.2, 3; 1997, c.27, s.5