Slaughter of Cattle (Control) Act (Cap. 71:09)

L.R.O. 1/2012 LAWS OF GUYANA SLAUGHTER OF CATTLE (CONTROL) ACT CHAPTER 71:09 Act 4 of 1974 Amended by 14 of 1988 6 of 1997 1 – 6 ... 1/2012 (inclusive) by L.R.O. Pages Authorised Current Authorised Pages LAWS OF GUYANA 2 Cap. 71:09 Slaughter of Cattle (Control) L.R.O. 1/2012 Note on Subsidiary Legislation This Chapter contains no subsidiary legislation. LAWS OF GUYANA Slaughter of Cattle (Control) Cap. 71:09 3 L.R.O. 1/2012 CHAPTER 71:09 SLAUGHTER OF CATTLE (CONTROL) ACT ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS SECTION 1. Short title. 2. Interpretation. 3. Prohibition. 4. Skin and skeleton of the head to be retained. 5. Powers of entry of veterinary officer and police constable. 6. Seizure and detention of carcass, etc. 7. Compensation to owner. 8. Forfeiture. 9. Obstruction of veterinary officer and police constable. 10. Offence and penalty. 4 of 1974 An Act providing for the control of the slaughter of cattle. [9TH FEBRUARY, 1974] Short title. Interpretation. 1. This Act may be cited as the Slaughter of Cattle (Control) Act. 2. In this Act— “cattle” means any bull, ox, steer, cow, heifer or calf; “veterinary officer” means the Principal Veterinary Officer and includes any veterinary officer, livestock officer or livestock assistant of the Department of Agriculture authorised in writing by the Principal Veterinary Officer to perform the functions of the Principal Veterinary Officer. LAWS OF GUYANA 4 Cap. 71:09 Slaughter of Cattle (Control) L.R.O. 1/2012 Prohibition. Skin and skeleton of the head to be retained. Powers of entry of veterinary officer and police constable. Seizure and detention of carcass, etc. 3. No person shall, without the permission in writing of a veterinary officer, slaughter or caused to be slaughtered— (a) any cattle with less than one permanent incisor tooth; or (b) any cattle of the female sex. 4. Where a person slaughters or causes to be slaughtered any cattle he shall retain the skin and skeleton of the head (including the horns) of the cattle for forty-eight hours after it has been slaughtered and during that time he shall, if so required, produce the skin and skeleton of the head (including the horns) to a veterinary officer or a police constable. 5. (1) A veterinary officer or a police constable may, at any time, enter a place where he reasonably believes that there is a carcass or other thing in connection with which this Act applies and examine the carcass or other thing found therein and take samples thereof. (2) A veterinary officer shall be furnished with a prescribed identification card and on entering any place pursuant to subsection (1) shall, if so required, produce the card to the owner or occupier thereof. (3) The owner or occupier of a place entered by a veterinary officer or a police constable pursuant to subsection (1) and every person found therein shall give the veterinary officer or a police constable all reasonable assistance in his power and furnish him with such information as he may reasonably require. 6. (1) Whenever a veterinary officer or a police constable believes on reasonable grounds that this Act has been contravened he may seize the carcass and other thing in connection with which he reasonably believes the LAWS OF GUYANA Slaughter of Cattle (Control) Cap. 71:09 5 L.R.O. 1/2012 Compensation to owner. Forfeiture. Obstruction of veterinary officer and police constable. Offence and contravention was committed. (2) The carcass and other thing seized pursuant to subsection (1) shall not be detained after the expiration of fourteen days from the day of seizure, unless before that time proceedings have been instituted in respect of the contravention in which event, the carcass or other thing may be detained until the proceedings are finally determined. 7. Where a veterinary officer or a police constable in exercise of his powers under this Act has taken a sample of anything and it appears from any examination or investigation by the veterinary officer or the police constable that there has been no contravention of this Act in respect of the sample, the owner of the sample shall be entitled to compensation from the veterinary officer or the police constable for the sample if it cannot be returned to the owner without prejudice to the owner. 8. Where a person has been convicted of an offence against this Act, the court may order that the carcass and any other thing in connection with which the offence was committed be forfeited to the State and upon such order being made the carcass and other thing may be disposed of as the Minister may direct. 9. (1) No person shall obstruct a veterinary officer or a police constable in the exercise of his functions under this Act. (2) No person shall make any false or misleading statement either verbally or in writing to a veterinary officer or a police constable engaged in the exercise of his functions under this Act. 10. Every person who contravenes, or fails to comply with, any of the provisions of this Act is liable on summary conviction, to— (a) a fine of not less than nine thousand dollars nor more than fifteen thousand dollars and penalty. [14 of 1988 6 of 1997] LAWS OF GUYANA 6 Cap. 71:09 Slaughter of Cattle (Control) L.R.O. 1/2012 to imprisonment for not less nor more than twelve months in the case of a first less nor more than twenty-four months, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction. conviction; and (b) a fine of not less nor more than thirty dollars