Article 99-1 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure
When, in the course of legal proceedings or the checks referred to in article L. 214-23 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, one or more live animals have been seized or removed for any reason whatsoever, the public prosecutor at the judicial court in the place where the offence was committed or, when the case is referred to him or her, the investigating judge may place the animal in…