172Power of court to order that certain animals be forfeited to the Crown or approved organisation

1. The court convicting a person (the offender) of an offence against this Act in respect of an animal or animals may (in addition to or in substitution for any other penalty),—

2. if it thinks it desirable for the protection of the animal or animals in question, order that any or all of the following animals be forfeited to the Crown or to an approved organisation:
   1. the animal or animals to which the charge relates and of which the offender is the owner:
   2. any other animals at the date of conviction owned by the offender:
3. if it thinks it desirable, order that any proceeds of sale of the animal retained under section 136A be forfeited to the Crown.

4. Repealed

5. If a court finds that a person is unfit to stand trial for an offence against this Act in respect of an animal or animals, the court may make any order provided for in subsection (1) as if it had convicted the person of the offence.

6. If an animal is forfeited to the Crown or an approved organisation under this section,—

7. in the case of a person found unfit to stand trial, the proceeds of sale (if any) must be held by the Ministry or an approved organisation (after deducting (in order) the costs of sale, any sums required to be paid to a security holder or any other person under a condition of the order for sale, and any costs incurred by the Crown or approved organisation in caring for the animal or animals or providing veterinary treatment to that animal or those animals), and the Ministry or approved organisation, as the case may be, must pay the proceeds of sale to the owner as soon as practicable:
8. in any other case, the animal may be sold or otherwise disposed of as the Minister or the approved organisation, as the case may be, thinks fit.