1 Poisoned grain and flesh, &c.

For the proviso of section eight of the M1Protection of Animals Act, 1911, there shall be substituted thefollowing proviso, that is to say:—

Provided that, in any proceedings under paragraph (b) of this section,it shall be a defence that the poison was placed by the accused forthe purpose of destroying insects and other invertebrates, rats, mice,or other small ground vermin, where such is found to be necessary inthe interests of public health, agriculture, or the preservation ofother animals, domestic or wild, or for the purpose of manuring theland, and that he took all reasonable preecautions to prevent injurythereby to dogs, cats, fowls, or other domestic animals and wildbirds.