§ Where the owner of an animal is convicted of an offence of cruelty within the meaning of this Act, it shall be lawful for the court, if the court is satisfied that it would be cruel to keep the animal alive, to direct that the animal be destroyed, and to assign the animal to any suitable person for that purpose; and the person to whom such animal is so assigned shall, as soon as possible, destroy such animal, or cause or procure such animal to be destroyed, in his presence without unnecessary suffering. Any reasonable expenses incurred in destroying the animal may be ordered by the court to be paid by the owner, and thereupon shall be recovered summarily as a civil debt:
§ Provided that unless the owner assent, no order shall be made under this Section except upon the evidence of a duly registered veterinary surgeon.
§ Amendment made: Leave out the word "recovered" ["shall be recovered summarily as a civil debt"] and insert instead thereof the word "recoverable."