The Prevention and Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases in Animals Act, 2009
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare / Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Section
Section 21 Effect of declaration of infected areas.
(1) Where an area has been declared as an infected area under section 20, all provisions of this Act which are applicable in relation to a controlled area shall mutatis mutandis apply thereto as if for the words "controlled area", the words "infected area" have been substituted.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the following further provisions shall apply in relation to an infected area, namely:--
(a) in respect of every animal in that area which is infected or reasonably believed to be infected, with any scheduled disease, the owner or other person in charge of the animal, shall forthwith get it treated by a Veterinarian;
(b) all articles, which are likely to have come into contact with any animal referred to in clause (a), shall be treated or disposed off in such a manner as the Veterinarian may direct;
(c) every Veterinarian shall, for the purpose of inspection, have the power to enter any place or premises where any animal is kept or is likely to be kept;
(d) the owner or any other person in charge of the animal referred to in clause (a) shall keep the animal in isolation forthwith, and also take such other measures as may be necessary for the prevention, treatment and control of the disease as the Veterinarian may direct.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the following further provisions shall apply in relation to an infected area, namely:--
(a) in respect of every animal in that area which is infected or reasonably believed to be infected, with any scheduled disease, the owner or other person in charge of the animal, shall forthwith get it treated by a Veterinarian;
(b) all articles, which are likely to have come into contact with any animal referred to in clause (a), shall be treated or disposed off in such a manner as the Veterinarian may direct;
(c) every Veterinarian shall, for the purpose of inspection, have the power to enter any place or premises where any animal is kept or is likely to be kept;
(d) the owner or any other person in charge of the animal referred to in clause (a) shall keep the animal in isolation forthwith, and also take such other measures as may be necessary for the prevention, treatment and control of the disease as the Veterinarian may direct.
Section 22 Denotification of infected area.
If the Veterinary Officer, after such enquiry as he may deem fit, is satisfied that there is no longer the threat or danger of any animal being infected with the scheduled disease in any infected area, by notification and publication in a local newspaper in vernacular language, declare that the area is no longer an infected area as aforesaid, whereupon all the restrictions referred to in section 21 shall cease to apply.
Section 23 Segregation, examination and treatment of infected animals.
(1) Where the Veterinarian has, on receipt of a report or otherwise, reason to believe that any animal is infected with a scheduled disease, he may, by order in writing, direct the owner or any other person in charge of such animal--
(a) to keep it segregated from other apparently healthy animals; or
(b) to subject it to such treatment as may be required under the circumstances.
(2) Where any action has been taken in pursuance of sub-section (1), the Veterinarian shall forthwith give a detailed report of the incidence of the disease to the Veterinary Officer.
(3) On receipt of a report from the Veterinarian, the Veterinary Officer shall, as soon as possible, examine that animal as well as any other animal which could have come in contact with it, and for that purpose, submit the animal to such test and medical examination as may be required under the circumstances.
(4) If, after such test and examination, the Veterinary Officer is of the opinion that an animal is not infected with any of the scheduled diseases, he shall issue a certificate in writing that the animal is not infected with any such disease.
(a) to keep it segregated from other apparently healthy animals; or
(b) to subject it to such treatment as may be required under the circumstances.
(2) Where any action has been taken in pursuance of sub-section (1), the Veterinarian shall forthwith give a detailed report of the incidence of the disease to the Veterinary Officer.
(3) On receipt of a report from the Veterinarian, the Veterinary Officer shall, as soon as possible, examine that animal as well as any other animal which could have come in contact with it, and for that purpose, submit the animal to such test and medical examination as may be required under the circumstances.
(4) If, after such test and examination, the Veterinary Officer is of the opinion that an animal is not infected with any of the scheduled diseases, he shall issue a certificate in writing that the animal is not infected with any such disease.
Section 24 Drawing samples from animals.
(1) Where the Veterinary Officer considers it necessary for the purpose of ascertaining whether the animal which is suspected to have been infected with any scheduled disease or susceptible to such infection is actually infected, or for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the scheduled disease with which an animal is infected, he may draw such samples, as may be required, from the animal for the purpose of carrying out such investigations as he may deem necessary under the circumstances.
(2) The Veterinary Officer or any other Competent Officer shall draw samples from any animal for the purposes of ascertaining whether the animal has been vaccinated against any disease, or whether the vaccination of the animal has been effective in conferring it immunity and have the samples examined, in such manner as he may deem necessary.
(2) The Veterinary Officer or any other Competent Officer shall draw samples from any animal for the purposes of ascertaining whether the animal has been vaccinated against any disease, or whether the vaccination of the animal has been effective in conferring it immunity and have the samples examined, in such manner as he may deem necessary.
Section 25 Resort to euthanasia for infected animals.
If the Veterinary Officer deems it necessary that an animal, which is infected with a scheduled disease, euthanasia has to be resorted to, for preventing the spread of the disease to other animals in the area or to protect public health if the disease is of zoonotic importance, he may, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, by an order in writing, direct euthanasia of the animal and the carcass disposed of immediately to his satisfaction.
Section 26 Disposal of carcass.
Every person in possession of carcass (or any part thereof) of any animal, which, at the time of its death, was infected with any scheduled disease or was suspected to have been infected, shall 1[dispose of it] in such manner as may be prescribed 2[by the Central Government].
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for "dispose it of" (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
2. Ins by s. 2 and Sch., ibid. (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
2. Ins by s. 2 and Sch., ibid. (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 27 Powers of Veterinary Officer and Veterinarian to hold post-mortem examinations.
(1) Where the Veterinary Officer or any Veterinarian has reason to believe that the death of an animal has been caused by an infection of any scheduled disease, he may make or cause to be made a post-mortem examination of the animal and for that purpose he may cause the carcass of any such animal to be exhumed where required followed by proper disposal after necessary examination and post-mortem.
(2) Every examination and post-mortem referred to in sub-section (1) shall be conducted in such manner, and the report of post-mortem shall be in such form, as may be prescribed 1[by the Central Government].
(2) Every examination and post-mortem referred to in sub-section (1) shall be conducted in such manner, and the report of post-mortem shall be in such form, as may be prescribed 1[by the Central Government].
2. Ins by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch. (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 28 Seizure and removal of certain animals.
Where any animal which is infected or suspected to have been infected is found without any person claiming to be its owner, or where a valid order or direction given in relation to any such animal is not promptly complied with by the owner or other person in control of the animal, it shall be open to the Veterinary Officer or any other Competent Officer, to seize the animal and remove it to a place of isolation or segregation, as he may deem proper.
Section 29 Enforcement of orders and recovery of expenses.
(1) Where by any rule, notification, notice, requisition, order or direction made under this Act, any person is required to take any measure or to do anything--
(a) in respect of any animal, carcass of any animal or other thing in his custody or charge, the same shall be promptly complied with by that person;
(b) in case of any stray or ownerless animal, carcass of such animal or parts thereof, the same shall be promptly complied with by the municipality or Panchayat, as the case may be, at its cost.
(2) If the measures as referred to in sub-section (1) are not taken within such time as may be allowed for the purpose, the authority issuing the notice, requisition, order or direction, may cause the measures to be taken at the cost of the person or municipality or Panchayat, as the case may be, who or which was required to take the measures.
(3) The costs of any measures taken under sub-section (2), shall be recoverable from the person or the municipality or Panchayat, as the case may be, concerned 1[in the manner provided in section 34A], as if such costs were a fine imposed by a Court.
(a) in respect of any animal, carcass of any animal or other thing in his custody or charge, the same shall be promptly complied with by that person;
(b) in case of any stray or ownerless animal, carcass of such animal or parts thereof, the same shall be promptly complied with by the municipality or Panchayat, as the case may be, at its cost.
(2) If the measures as referred to in sub-section (1) are not taken within such time as may be allowed for the purpose, the authority issuing the notice, requisition, order or direction, may cause the measures to be taken at the cost of the person or municipality or Panchayat, as the case may be, who or which was required to take the measures.
(3) The costs of any measures taken under sub-section (2), shall be recoverable from the person or the municipality or Panchayat, as the case may be, concerned 1[in the manner provided in section 34A], as if such costs were a fine imposed by a Court.
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for "in the manner provided by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) for the recovery of fines imposed by a Court" (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 30 Village Officers, etc., to assist.
1[Any Village Officer, Registered practitioners, Veterinarian or Veterinary Officer of the] animal husbandry and veterinary departments of the State Government, shall be bound---
(a) to give immediate information to the Veterinary Officer and to the Veterinarian having jurisdiction in the area regarding the prevalence of a scheduled disease amongst any animal or species of animals, in the area;
(b) to take all necessary measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of any scheduled disease; and
(c) to assist the Veterinary Officer and the Veterinarian in the discharge of their duties or in the exercise of their powers under this Act.
(a) to give immediate information to the Veterinary Officer and to the Veterinarian having jurisdiction in the area regarding the prevalence of a scheduled disease amongst any animal or species of animals, in the area;
(b) to take all necessary measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of any scheduled disease; and
(c) to assist the Veterinary Officer and the Veterinarian in the discharge of their duties or in the exercise of their powers under this Act.
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026, s. 2 and Sch., for "All Municipal, Panchayat or Village Officers and all officers of the rural and dairy development, revenue, agriculture," (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 31 Penalty for issuing vaccination certificate without authority or administering defective vaccine.
If any person issues a vaccination certificate,--
(a) without authority or competence in that behalf, or
(b) after administering the vaccine which is known to be defective in any manner,
he shall be guilty of an offence punishable with a fine of five thousand rupees or in case of non-payment of fine with imprisonment which may extend to one month, and in the case of any subsequent offence, with fine of ten thousand rupees or with imprisonment which may extend to three months.
(a) without authority or competence in that behalf, or
(b) after administering the vaccine which is known to be defective in any manner,
he shall be guilty of an offence punishable with a fine of five thousand rupees or in case of non-payment of fine with imprisonment which may extend to one month, and in the case of any subsequent offence, with fine of ten thousand rupees or with imprisonment which may extend to three months.
Section 32 Penalty for contravention and obstruction in duty.
1[32. Penalty for contravention and obstruction in duty.---Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act, the rules, orders and notifications made or issued thereunder or obstructs the Competent Officer in performing his duties, shall be liable to penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees and in the case of a continuing contravention, to an additional penalty which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which such contravention is continues.]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026,, s. 2 and Sch., for ss. 32 and 33 (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 33 Penalty for placing animal carcass in open place and in water source.
1[33. Penalty for placing animal carcass in open place and in water source.---(1) No person shall,---
(a) place or cause to be placed the carcass of any animal or any part thereof, in any river, canal, tank, pond, well, stream, lake, spring, ocean, or any other water source; or
(b) dispose of or permit the carcass of any such animal to remain in any open place in a manner likely to cause spread of infection or environmental contamination.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be liable to penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees.
(3) Where such contravention results in contamination of any water source referred to in sub-section (1) or spread of disease to other animals, the adjudicating authority may make an order for,---
(a) the recovery of charges for carcass disposal, disinfection and cleaning of water source or place, as the case may be, from the person adjudicated upon; and
(b) the temporary suspension or cancellation of any livestock handling or trade licence held by the person adjudicated upon, for a period not exceeding six months.
(4) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of sections 271 and 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).]
(a) place or cause to be placed the carcass of any animal or any part thereof, in any river, canal, tank, pond, well, stream, lake, spring, ocean, or any other water source; or
(b) dispose of or permit the carcass of any such animal to remain in any open place in a manner likely to cause spread of infection or environmental contamination.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be liable to penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees.
(3) Where such contravention results in contamination of any water source referred to in sub-section (1) or spread of disease to other animals, the adjudicating authority may make an order for,---
(a) the recovery of charges for carcass disposal, disinfection and cleaning of water source or place, as the case may be, from the person adjudicated upon; and
(b) the temporary suspension or cancellation of any livestock handling or trade licence held by the person adjudicated upon, for a period not exceeding six months.
(4) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of sections 271 and 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026,, s. 2 and Sch., for ss. 32 and 33 (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 33A Adjudication of penalties.
1[33A. Adjudication of penalties.---For the purpose of adjudication of penalties under the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, the State Government or the Union territory administration, as the case may be, shall authorise the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or any other Executive Magistrate, as the case may be, having jurisdiction, as an adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry and imposing penalty, in the manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government:
Provided that no such penalty shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.]
Provided that no such penalty shall be imposed without giving the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard.]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026,, s. 2 and Sch., for ss. 32 and 33 (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 33B Appeal.
1[33B. Appeal.---(1) Whoever aggrieved by the order, passed by the adjudicating officer under section 33A may, within thirty days from the date of receipt of order, prefer an appeal to the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate specially authorised in this behalf by the State Government or the Union territory administration, as the case may be, as an appellate authority, in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(2) An appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period of thirty days if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.
(3) The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as he may think fit.
(4) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing.]
(2) An appeal may be admitted after the expiry of the period of thirty days if the appellant satisfies the appellate authority that he had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within that period.
(3) The appellate authority may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such order as he may think fit.
(4) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be disposed of within sixty days from the date of filing.]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026,, s. 2 and Sch., for ss. 32 and 33 (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 33C Imprisonment for non-payment of penalty.
1[33C. Imprisonment for non-payment of penalty.---Where any person fails to pay the penalty imposed under the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder within ninety days of such imposition, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to twice the amount of the penalty, or with both.]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026,, s. 2 and Sch., for ss. 32 and 33 (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 33D Remittance of penalty.
1[33D. Remittance of penalty.---(1) Where an adjudicating officer imposes a penalty under the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, the amount of the said penalty realised shall be credited to the Fund of the Animal Welfare Board of India constituted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (59 of 1960).
(2) The Board shall utilise the amount realised through penalty for the implementation of the provision of the Act and the rules made thereunder in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
(2) The Board shall utilise the amount realised through penalty for the implementation of the provision of the Act and the rules made thereunder in such manner as may be prescribed by the Central Government.]
1. Subs. by Act 8 of 2026,, s. 2 and Sch., for ss. 32 and 33 (w.e.f. 01-07-2026).
Section 34 Offences by companies.
(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section,--
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a co-operative society registered or deemed to be registered under any law for the time being in force, a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation.--For the purposes of this section,--
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a co-operative society registered or deemed to be registered under any law for the time being in force, a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
Section 35 Prevention of escape of causative organism.
(1) In every institution, laboratory or clinic, engaged in the manufacture, testing or research, related to vaccines, sera, diagnostics or chemotherapeutic drugs and aimed at the prevention or treatment of any scheduled disease, adequate precautionary measures shall be taken--
(a) to ensure that the causative organism of any scheduled disease does not escape or otherwise get released;
(b) to guard against any such escape or release; and
(c) to warn and to protect everyone concerned in the event of any escape.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, every animal--
(a) used for the manufacture, testing or research as referred to sub-section (1), or
(b) which is likely to carry or transmit any scheduled disease,
shall be promptly administered euthanasia and disposed of by the person in charge of or having control of the institution, laboratory or clinic, as the case may be, referred to in that sub-section.
(3) Every person who is in charge of or having control of an institution, laboratory or clinic referred to in sub-section (1) comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2); and in the event of non-compliance he shall be guilty of an offence punishable with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with both, and in case the establishment is in commercial manufacturing of vaccines or medicine, a temporary suspension of licence up to a period of one year may also be imposed.
(a) to ensure that the causative organism of any scheduled disease does not escape or otherwise get released;
(b) to guard against any such escape or release; and
(c) to warn and to protect everyone concerned in the event of any escape.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, every animal--
(a) used for the manufacture, testing or research as referred to sub-section (1), or
(b) which is likely to carry or transmit any scheduled disease,
shall be promptly administered euthanasia and disposed of by the person in charge of or having control of the institution, laboratory or clinic, as the case may be, referred to in that sub-section.
(3) Every person who is in charge of or having control of an institution, laboratory or clinic referred to in sub-section (1) comply with the provisions of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2); and in the event of non-compliance he shall be guilty of an offence punishable with fine which may extend to twenty thousand rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with both, and in case the establishment is in commercial manufacturing of vaccines or medicine, a temporary suspension of licence up to a period of one year may also be imposed.
Section 36 Power to delegate.
The State Government may, by notification, delegate to any officer or authority subordinate to it, all or any of the powers conferred on it by or under this Act, except the powers to make rules under sub-section (2) of section 42.