The Secretary of Health shall cause to be slaughtered all animals found to be suffering from infections or contagious disease, or suspected of being so affected, when in his opinion it is necessary to have such animal slaughtered for the purpose of preventing the spread of the disease with which the animal is affected or suspected of being affected. No animal, however, shall be slaughtered because it is believed to be suffering from glanders or tuberculosis, or is suspected of being so infected, until the mallein test has been applied to determine the presence of glanders and the tuberculin test has been applied to determine the presence of tuberculosis and such disease is shown to be present, unless the symptoms of such diseases are plainly and visibly present. Provided, That in all cases where the slaughter of an animal has been ordered by the Secretary of Health the owner of possessor of such animal shall have the right to appeal against such action to the Superior Board of Health whose decision shall be final. Such appeal to be effective shall be made within twenty-four hours after the owner or possessor of the animal has been notified of the decision of the Secretary of alth whose decision shall be final. Such appeal to be effective shall be made within twenty-four hours after the owner or possessor of the animal has been notified of the decision of the Secretary of Health to have the animal slaughtered. History —Mar. 14, 1907, p. 85, § 8, eff. July 1, 1907.
Puerto Rico Legal Code