The Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974

Detention of animals on board vessels in harbour

12.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, it shall be the duty of the master of a vessel in harbour in Great Britain to ensure that an animal to which this Article applies—

(a) is at all times securely confined within an enclosed part of the vessel from which it cannot escape;

(b) does not come into contact with any other animal or any contact animal (other than an animal or contact animal with which it has been transported to Great Britain); and

(c) is in no circumstances permitted to land.

(2) Paragraph (1)(c) above shall not apply to an animal which is landed—

(a) in accordance with a licence granted under Article 4 above; or

(b) in the circumstances referred to in Article 8 above.

(3) If an animal to which this Article applies is involved in an incident whereby rabies could be transmitted to a human being, or to another animal or a contact animal (other than an animal or contact animal with which it has been transported to Great Britain), the person for the time being in charge of the animal shall forthwith give notice of the incident to an inspector; and on receipt of such notice, the inspector may, if he considers it expedient so to do, require (in the case of an animal which would otherwise not be permitted to land under this Article) that the animal shall not leave Great Britain until after it has undergone detention and isolation in quarantine at its owner's expense, at such premises, and for such period (not exceeding six calendar months) and subject to such conditions, as the inspector may direct.

(4) If an animal to which this Article applies is lost from a vessel in harbour in Great Britain, the Master of that vessel shall forthwith give notice of the loss to an inspector, a police constable or an officer of Customs and Excise.

(5) The provisions of this Article shall apply to any animal which has, within the preceding six calendar months, been in a place outside Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.