Cruelty to Animals Act (Cap. 115)

BELIZE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT CHAPTER 115 REVISED EDITION 2000 SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000 This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980 - 1990. This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 4 Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000. BELIZE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT CHAPTER 115 REVISED EDITION 2000 SHOWING THE LAW AS AT 31ST DECEMBER, 2000 This is a revised edition of the law, prepared by the Law Revision Commissioner under the authority of the Law Revision Act, Chapter 3 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 1980 - 1990. This edition contains a consolidation of the following laws- Page ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 3 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ACT 4 Amendments in force as at 31st December, 2000. THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000 Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. Cruelty to Animals [CAP. 115 [ ] 3 CHAPTER 115 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. 3. Keeping a place for bull fighting, etc., prohibited. 4. Animals impounded to be provided with food and water. 5. If neglected, any person may supply food, etc., and recover costs. 6. Punishment for beating, etc., animals. 7. Special provision for certain kinds of cruelty. 8. Authority of constable. 9. Penalties. lealj lealj lealj Cruelty to AnimalsCAP. 115] THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000 Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 4 [ ] CHAPTER 115 CRUELTY TO ANIMALS [17th October, 1865] 1. This Act may be cited as the Cruelty to Animals Act. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires: “animal” means any horse, mare, gelding, bull, ox, cow, heifer, steer, calf, mule, ass, sheep, lamb, pig, sow, goat, dog, cat or any other domestic animal of any kind or species whatever, and whether a quadruped or not; “constable” means any alcalde, peace officer, and any member of the Belize Police Department; “over-drive” also signifies over-ride. 3.-(1) Any person who (a) keeps, uses or acts in the management of any place for the purpose of fighting or baiting any bull, bear, badger, dog, cock or other kind of animal, whether of domestic or wild nature; or (b) permits or suffers any place to be used for the purpose of fighting or baiting any such animal, is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for every day he so keeps, uses or acts in the management of any such place, or permits or suffers any place to be so used. 42 of 1999. Keeping a place for bull fighting, etc., prohibited. Ch. 128, R.L., 1958. CAP. 85, R.E. 1980-1990. Short title. Interpretation. lealj lealj THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000 Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. Cruelty to Animals [CAP. 115 [ ] 5 (2) Any person who receives money for the admission of any other person to any place kept or used for any of the purposes referred to in subsection (1) shall be deemed to be the keeper thereof. (3) Any person who in any manner encourages, aids or assists at the fighting or baiting of any such animal shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for every such offence. 4.-(1)Every person who impounds or confines or causes to be impounded or confined in any pound or receptacle of a like nature, whether public or private, any animal, shall provide and supply during such confinement a sufficient quantity of fit and wholesome food and water to that animal. (2) Any such person who refuses or neglects to provide and supply that animal with such food and water as is required by this section, shall for every offence forfeit and pay a penalty of ten dollars. 5.-(1) In case any animal is at any time impounded or confined as mentioned in section 4 (1) and continues confined without fit and sufficient food and water for more than twelve successive hours, any person may from time to time and as often as is necessary enter into and upon any pound, whether public or private, or other receptacle of a like nature in which any such animal is so confined, and supply such animal with fit and sufficient food and water during so long a time as such animal remains and continues confined as aforesaid, without being liable to any action of trespass or other proceeding by any person who impounded or confined the animal. (2) The reasonable costs of providing such food and water shall be paid to the person who supplies the same by the owner of that animal before that animal is removed, and the said costs may be recovered in a summary manner before a magistrate. 6. Any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, over-drives, over-loads or Animals impounded to be pro vided with food and water. If neglected, any person may supply food, etc., and recover costs. Punishment for beating, etc., animals. Cruelty to AnimalsCAP. 115] THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000 Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. 6 [ ] tortures, or causes or procures to be ill-treated, beaten, overdriven, abused or tortured any animal is guilty of an offence and is liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, and if the offender is not the owner of the animal, to pay such further sum by way of compensation not exceeding one hundred dollars, as is ascertained and determined by the magistrate before whom such person is convicted: Provided that the party aggrieved may forego such compensation, and bring an action for damages. 7. Every person who (a) in the course of, or for the purpose of, removing animals from any vessel to land, swims or urges any animal through water where it is exposed or liable to be bitten by sharks or other reptiles; or (b) raises or hoists or attempts to raise or hoist, or assists in raising or hoisting, any horned animal by its horns, or any swine or other animal by a rope, tackle or noose; or (c) for the like purpose, or in driving or attempting to drive any animal whatever, twists its tail or does any act likely to occasion torture, shall be deemed guilty of ill-treating that animal within the meaning of this Act and shall be liable to pay a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars. 8. Any constable, upon view thereof or upon the complaint and information of any other person who declares his name and place of abode to the said constable, may arrest any person offending against the provisions of this Act, and forthwith, without any other authority or warrant, convey such offender before a magistrate to be dealt with according to law. Authority of constable. Special provision for certain kinds of cruelty. THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF BELIZE REVISED EDITION 2000 Printed by the Government Printer, No. 1 Power Lane, Belmopan, by the authority of the Government of Belize. Cruelty to Animals [CAP. 115 [ ] 7 9. All penalties imposed by this Act shall be recovered on summary conviction. Penalties.