Section 3 Collection of samples and impressionsI1

After section 2 of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 insert—

“Collection of samples and impressions

2ZA

(1)

Subsection (2) applies where a constable has reasonable grounds to believe that—

(a)

a dog has attacked or worried livestock on agricultural land or on a road or path, and

(b)

information derived from a sample or impression taken from the dog might provide evidence of an offence under section 1.

(2)

A sample or impression may be taken from the dog; and a constable may seize and detain the dog in order that the sample or impression may be taken.

(3)

Subsection (4) applies where a constable has reasonable grounds to believe that—

(a)

a dog has attacked or worried livestock on agricultural land or on a road or path, and

(b)

information derived from a sample or impression taken from any livestock might provide evidence of an offence under section 1.

(4)

A sample or impression may be taken from the livestock.

(5)

If taking a sample or impression under this section would amount to veterinary surgery, it must be done by a veterinary surgeon.

(6)

A sample or impression taken under this section may be retained—

(a)

until an investigation has been carried out into whether an offence under section 1 has been committed by reason of the dog attacking or worrying livestock, or

(b)

if proceedings are brought in respect of such an offence, until those proceedings have been determined or withdrawn.

(7)

In this section—

• “sample” means any material that has come from the body of an animal and consists of, or includes, animal cells;

• “veterinary surgeon” means a person registered in the register of veterinary surgeons, or the supplementary veterinary register, kept under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966;

• “veterinary surgery” has the same meaning as in that Act.”