Health of Animals Act

Marginal note:Detention

• 45 (1) An animal or thing seized and detained under this Act, or any proceeds realized from its disposition, shall not be detained after

  • (a) a determination by an inspector or officer that the animal or thing is in conformity with the provisions of this Act and the regulations, or

  • (b) the expiration of one hundred and eighty days after the day of seizure, or such longer period as may be prescribed,

  unless before that time proceedings are instituted in relation to the animal or thing, in which case it, or the proceeds from its disposition, may be detained until the proceedings are finally concluded.

• Marginal note:Application for return

  (2) Where proceedings are instituted in accordance with subsection (1) in respect of the animal or thing and it has not been disposed of or forfeited under this Act, the owner of the animal or thing or the person having the possession, care or control of it at the time of its seizure may apply

  • (a) in the case of a violation, to the Tribunal, or

  • (b) in the case of an offence, to the court before which the proceedings are being held,

  for an order that it be returned.

• Marginal note:Order

  (3) The Tribunal or court, as the case may be, may order that the animal or thing be returned to the applicant, subject to such conditions as the Tribunal or court may impose to ensure that it is preserved for any purpose for which it may subsequently be required, where the Tribunal or court is satisfied that sufficient evidence exists or may reasonably be obtained without detaining the animal or thing and that it is not, or is not suspected of being, affected or contaminated by a disease or toxic substance.