24CObtaining veterinary treatment

24C Obtaining veterinary treatment (1) If a POCTA inspector reasonably believes that treatment by a veterinary practitioner is necessary for the welfare of an animal, subject to subsection (2), the inspector may arrange for a veterinary practitioner to treat the animal. (2) If a POCTA inspector has formed a belief under subsection (1) that an animal requires treatment by a veterinary practitioner and the owner or person in charge of the animal can be contacted, after reasonable enquiry, the inspector must, before arranging veterinary treatment under subsection (1), give the owner or person an opportunity to arrange for a veterinary practitioner of his or her choice to undertake the required treatment. (3) The inspector may recover the costs of veterinary treatment of an animal arranged under subsection (1) from the owner or the person in charge of the animal treated in a court of competent jurisdiction as a civil debt recoverable summarily. S. 24D substituted by No. 65/2007 s. 95.