§ 96-t. Enforcement. 1. The commissioner may institute such action at law or in equity as may appear necessary to enforce compliance with any provision of this article and the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated hereunder and, in addition to any other remedy under article three of this chapter or otherwise, may apply for relief by injunction if necessary to protect the public interest without being compelled to allege or prove that an adequate remedy at law does not exist. Such application may be made to the supreme court in any county pursuant to the civil practice law and rules or to the supreme court in any county of the third judicial district.

2. Whenever the commissioner is authorized or directed hereunder to render unfit for food or seize and destroy any meat, meat by-product, or meat food product, the destruction and disposition of such meat, meat by-product, or meat food product, as well as any necessary storage, handling or other incidentals, shall be the responsibility both financially and otherwise, of the owner of the establishment or other person having custody or possession of such meat, meat by-product, or meat food product; provided, however, that such destruction or disposition shall be carried out only under the direction and supervision of the commissioner. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed as preventing the commissioner from destroying or disposing of meat, meat by-products, or meat food products found to be unfit or unsafe for use as food where such action is necessary for the protection of public health.