Animal Health Act 1981

Proceedings

77 Money recoverable summarily

Any money by this Act or an order of the Minister made recoverable summarily may be so recovered as a civil debt, and in England and Wales this shall be in accordance with the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980.

Until the coming into force of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 the reference in this section to that Act shall have effect as if it were a reference to the [1952 c. 55.] Magistrates' Courts Act 1952.

78 Appeal

If any person thinks himself aggrieved—

(a) by the dismissal of a complaint by, or

(b) by any determination or adjudication of,

a magistrates' court in England or Wales under this Act, he may appeal to the Crown Court.Nothing in this section applies in relation to an offence punishable under section 4 above.

79 Evidence and procedure

(1) In any proceeding under this Act no proof shall be required of the appointment or handwriting of an inspector or other officer of die Minister or of the clerk or an inspector or other officer of a local authority.

(2) Where the owner or person in charge of an animal is charged with an offence against this Act relative to disease or to any illness of the animal, he shall be presumed to have known of the existence of the disease or illness unless and until he shows to the court's satisfaction that—

(a) he had not knowledge of the existence of that disease or illness, and

(b) he could not with reasonable diligence have obtained that knowledge.

(3) Where a person—

(a) is charged with an offence against this Act in not having duly cleansed or disinfected any place, vessel, aircraft, vehicle or thing belonging to him or under his charge, and

(b) a presumption against him on the part of the prosecution is raised,

it shall lie on him to prove the due cleansing and disinfection mentioned in paragraph (a).

(4) Every offence against this Act shall be deemed to have been committed, and every cause of complaint or matter for summary proceeding under this Act or an order of the Minister or regulation of a local authority shall be deemed to have arisen, either in any place—

(a) where it actually was committed or arose; or

(b) where the person charged or complained of or proceeded against happens to be at the time of the institution or commencement of the charge, complaint or proceeding.

(5) Nothing in subsections (2) to (4) above applies in relation to an offence under section 4 above.