(1)Before he specifies any premises for the purposes of section 6 above or revokes a direction given under that section, the Secretary of State shall consult one or more of the scientific authorities.
(2)The Secretary of State shall not specify any premises for those purposes unless they are such that in his opinion the animal in relation to which he proposes to give, or has given, a direction under section 6 above may suitably be kept there.
(3)Any person duly authorised in writing by the Secretary of State may, at any reasonable time and (if required to do so) upon producing evidence that he is so authorised, enter any premises which are for the time being specified in relation to any animal for the purposes of section 6 above for one or both of the following purposes:—
(a)in order to enable the Secretary of State to decide whether the premises remain such that in his opinion the animal may suitably be kept there;
(b)in order to ascertain whether the animal is being kept on the premises.
(4)Any person who wilfully obstructs a person acting under subsection (3) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F1level 5 on the standard scale].
Textual Amendments
F1Words inserted by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 38, 46; (S.) Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), ss. 289F, 289G and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6