19AACollection and analysis of a sample from a dog

19AA Collection and analysis of a sample from a dog

[Section 19AA Inserted by No. 55 of 2017, s. 16, Applied:20 Dec 2017]

(1)  [Section 19AA Subsection (1) amended by No. 53 of 2019, s. 7, Applied:18 Dec 2019] An authorised person who believes, on reasonable grounds, that an offence under section 19(2) , (3) , (3A) or (4) has been committed may request that a general manager authorise the collection of a sample from a dog for the purposes of determining whether the dog was a dog involved in the offence.

(2)  A general manager who receives a request under subsection (1) in relation to a dog may authorise –

(a) an approved person to collect a non-intimate sample from the dog; or

(b) a veterinary surgeon to collect an intimate or non-intimate sample from the dog.

(3)  If an approved person or a veterinary surgeon is authorised under subsection (2) to collect a sample from a dog –

(a) the authorised person who made a request under subsection (1) in respect of the dog may do one or more of the following:

(i) seize the dog and detain it for as long as is required for the approved person or veterinary surgeon to collect the sample as authorised;

(ii) if, in the opinion of the authorised person, the dog is aggressive or difficult to manage, direct the owner of the dog to accompany the authorised person, together with the dog, to a pound or other place where the sample may safely be collected;

(iii) direct the owner to produce the dog for the purposes of allowing the sample to be collected as authorised; and

(b) the approved person or veterinary surgeon may collect such a sample from the dog as authorised.

(4)  If a sample is collected from a dog in accordance with an authorisation under subsection (2) , the authorised person who made the request under in relation to the dog is to ensure that –