12.—(1) A local authority may accept from its owner, or from a person authorised by the owner, an unwanted dog and, subject to subsection (2) of this section, may dispose of such dog or arrange for its destruction in a humane manner.

(2) A local authority shall not dispose of a dog pursuant to subsection (1) of this section for the purposes of animal experimentation.

(3) A local authority may, before disposing of a dog under this section, sterilise, or arrange to have sterilised, the dog.

(4) Where a local authority disposes of a dog under this section, the person to whom the dog is given shall become the owner of the dog and the title of its previous owner shall thereupon become extinguished.