Section 44
Power of search for diseased animals
of Animal (Diseases and Quarantine) Act
(1)
For the purpose of ascertaining whether any animal is suffering from disease or for the purpose of ascertaining whether any offence against this Act has been or is being committed —
(a)
any authorised officer or police officer may, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any land, building or premises on or in which he believes on reasonable grounds there is any animal or thing in respect of which this Act or any regulations made thereunder may apply and the owner of the land, building, premises or animal shall render the authorised officer or police officer all necessary assistance and furnish such information as may be required of him;
Animal (Diseases and Quarantine)
(b)
any authorised officer, officer of customs or police officer may stop, enter and examine any conveyance used for carrying animals and take all measures necessary to enable such examination as the authorised officer or police officer considers necessary to be made;
(c)
any authorised officer or police officer may open any receptacle, baggage, package, cage or other thing that the authorised officer or police officer believes on reasonable grounds contains any animal or thing in respect of which this Act or any regulations made thereunder may apply;
(d)
require the person in charge or in control of any vehicle to produce his vehicle to an authorised officer or police officer, and shall, if so required, move his vehicle to another place for examination, and shall not proceed until permission to do so has been given by the authorised officer;
(e)
require any person in charge or in control of any vehicle stopped for inspection under subsection (1)(c) to open all parts of the vehicle for examination by the authorised officer or police officer.
(2)
Any authorised officer, officer of customs or police officer acting under subsection (1) may, if the circumstances so warrant, with such assistance as he thinks necessary, remove anything obstructing his entry to the premises or conveyance or break open any door, window, lock, fastener, hold, compartment, box, container or any other thing.
(3)
No compensation shall be payable to any person in respect of any damage to his property caused or occasioned by any act authorised by subsection (2).
(4)
Any person in charge of a conveyance who does not stop when he is required to do so by any authorised officer, officer of customs or police officer under subsection (1)(b) is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.