No animal shall be destroyed by the commissioner or by his order unless first examined by a veterinarian in the employ of the department, or whose work is approved by the commissioner, nor until such veterinarian renders a certificate to the commissioner, to the effect that he has made such examination, that, in his judgment, such animal is infected with a specified infectious or communicable disease, or that its destruction is necessary in order to prevent or suppress, or to aid in preventing or suppressing such disease.
New York Legal Code