P.R. Laws tit. 5, § 1679
(a) When a person has been accused of acts that constitute animal abuse, the court or the law enforcement officers may, as a precautionary and preventive measure in benefit of the animal, remove or order the provisional removal of the animal while the case is heard. Likewise, the court may take or order the precautionary measures it deems convenient and necessary for the protection and welfare of the animal, including the issue of a protection order. The animal shall be handed over to the shelter of the municipality of residence of the custodian or to the private organization that intervened in the animal abuse situation, if the organization so requests.
(b) If after a trial on its merits or a hearing, the existence of abuse against the animal is not proven, the animal shall be returned to its custodian.
History —Aug. 4, 2008, No. 154, § 2.16.