Animal Protection Act (Chapter 21 of 2018).

The Act confirms the continuation of the Nova Scotia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty as a body corporate with the object to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to and the promotion of the welfare of companion animals in the Province. The Act also regulates membership and powers. The second chapter regulates animal welfare inspections and the Act clarify the role of the Chief inspector and other inspectors, powers, notification and annual reporting duties. Inspections can be of premises, and of farm animals. The animal can be seized when an inspector believes on reasonable and probable grounds that a person is in violation of a condition of a court order to not own or possess an animal.
The Act then contains a chapter dedicated to protection of welfare of animals; this include prohibitions (cosmetic surgery and animal in distress); Acceptable surgery and practices; Seizure (abandoned animal; animal in distress; seizure can be also of things). Animals can be also euthanized by a veterinarian when in critical distress, this means distress of such nature that immediate veterinary treatment cannot prolong the animal’s life; or prolonging the animal’s life would result in the animal suffering unduly. The Chapter also confirms the continuation of the Animal Cruelty Appeal Board and regulates the proceedings. Offences and penalties find regulation in the last chapter.