Hong Kong Ordinances

RABIES ORDINANCE - SECT 8

Power to seize and sterilize or destroy thing

(1) An authorized officer may seize any animal product, carcass or article
used for or in connection with any animal, that he has reasonable grounds to
believe-

   (a)  is likely to cause rabies to be introduced into or spread within Hong
        Kong;

   (b)  in the case of an animal product or carcass, has been imported in
        contravention of the regulations; or

   (c)  is or contains evidence of an offence under this Ordinance.

(2) An authorized officer may treat or sterilize anything seized under
subsection (1) to free it from rabies.

(3) An authorized officer may forthwith destroy anything seized under
subsection (1) where-

   (a)  the thing seized is of a perishable nature;

   (b)  it is not reasonably practicable to treat or sterilize it; or

   (c)  he is of the opinion that no purpose would be served by its treatment
        or sterilization having regard to the likelihood of any person wishing
        to claim it.

(4) Where any animal product, carcass or article is seized and treated or
sterilized or destroyed under this section, the reasonable costs of the
seizure, treatment, sterilization or destruction may be recovered by the
Government from the owner as a civil debt in any court of competent
jurisdiction. (Enacted 1992)