18.—(1) Any person who is convicted under the Protection of Animals Acts, 1911 and 1965, of the offence of cruelty to a dog may, in addition to any penalty imposed under those Acts, be disqualified from keeping a dog for such period as the Court thinks fit.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment, where a person is so convicted and disqualified the Court may make such order as it thinks fit for the disposal or humane destruction of any dog kept by such person, and may order that the expense incurred in the disposal or humane destruction of a dog under this section, including the expense of any veterinary surgeon, shall be paid by the person convicted in addition to any other penalty which the Court may impose.

(3) Any person who makes default in the payment of any expenses ordered to be paid pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, shall be guilty of an offence F17[…].

(4) Where the Court orders, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the destruction of a dog, the Court may direct that the dog be delivered to a dog warden or any suitable person for that purpose, and the person to whom the dog is delivered shall, as soon as possible, destroy the dog, or cause it to be destroyed, in a humane manner.