40Powers of inspectors

40 Powers of inspectors

40 Powers of inspectors

(1) For the purposes of this Act, an inspector may—

(a) except as provided by subsection (2), enter any premises which are a licensed animal display establishment or any other place (including land and a building, and a place on or in a vehicle or vessel) where the inspector believes, on reasonable grounds, that a provision of this Act or the regulations has been or is being contravened,

(b) with respect to any such premises or place, make such inquiries, investigations or searches as are necessary to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act and the regulations are being complied with,

(c) request a person to produce for examination by the inspector any licence, approval or permit issued to the person under this Act or the regulations, or alleged by the person to have been so issued, and any books, papers or records required to be kept or made under this Act or the regulations by the person,

(d) examine any article produced pursuant to paragraph (c) and make copies of or take extracts from any such article,

(e) examine any equipment or materials used or kept for use in relation to the exhibition of an animal found at any such premises or place,

(f) examine any animal found at any such premises or at the place,

(g) seize or detain any animal in respect of which the inspector suspects, on reasonable grounds, that an offence against this Act or the regulations has been committed,

(h) remove any animals seized under this Act, and any eggs of such animals, to such place as the inspector thinks fit, or cause them to be so removed,

(i) seize any books, papers or records in the possession of the occupier of any such premises, and within that person’s power to deliver up, relating to any such suspected offence,

(j) question any person in charge (within the meaning of section 22) of an animal found at any such premises or place and ask the person to answer any question put to the person in relation to the use of those premises or of that place,

(k) require a person referred to in paragraph (j) to state the person’s full name and residential address to the inspector and (if the inspector suspects, on reasonable grounds, that a name or address so stated is false) require the person to produce evidence of the correctness of the name or address so stated,