Summary: This set of New Brunswick laws comprises the Sheep Protection Act. Under the Act, where a sheep is killed or injured by a dog, the owner of the sheep may, within forty-eight hours, notify the Minister. The Minister then appoints an investigator who reports his or her findings back to the Minister. The Minister may then recover the expenses of the investigation from the owner of the dog, and may order the destruction of the dog.
Definitions
1 The following definitions apply in this Act.
“dog” means any dog, male or female. (chien)
“injured” includes injuries caused by wounding, worrying, terrifying or pursuing. (blessé)
“Minister” means the Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries and includes any person designated by the Minister to act on the Minister’s behalf. (ministre)
“owner” includes any person who possesses or harbours a dog. (propriétaire)
“sheep” includes ewes, rams and lambs. (ovin)
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.1; 1986, c.8, s.120; 1996, c.25, s.32; 2000, c.26, s.265; 2007, c.10, s.87; 2010, c.31, s.120
Notice to Minister respecting injury or death of sheep
2 If a sheep is killed or injured by a dog, the owner of the sheep may, within 48 hours, notify the Minister.
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.2
Appointment and duties of investigator
3(1) On receipt of a notice under section 2, the Minister shall appoint an investigator.
3(2) The investigator shall
(a) investigate the complaint,
(b) report to the Minister within ten days after his or her appointment the results of the investigation and his or her recommendation, and
(c) send a copy of his or her report and recommendation to the owner of the sheep.
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.3; 1996, c.78, s.1
Liability of dog owner
4 The Minister may recover the expenses of the investigation from the owner of the dog.
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.4; 1996, c.78, s.2
Destruction of dog
5 If a dog is known to have killed or injured a sheep, the Minister may
(a) order the owner to destroy the dog, or
(b) destroy the dog.
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.5
Killing of dog
6 A person may kill a dog that the person finds killing or injuring a sheep.
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.6
Limitation of liability
7 No person who kills a dog under the circumstances referred to in section 6 is liable in an action for damages for the killing of the dog.
R.S.1973, c.S-7, s.6