Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06504 Compare Versions

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Version 2 (New)

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	7	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6504
	8	+	January Session, 2021
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4		-	Substitute House Bill No. 6504
5		-
6		-	Public Act No. 21-90
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8	13
9	14		AN ACT CONCERNING AN IMAL WELFARE.
10	15		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
11	16		Assembly convened:
12	17
13		-	Section 1. Subdivision (10) of section 22-327 of the general statutes is
14		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
15		-	passage):
16		-	(10) "Poultry" [means all domestic fowl and any pheasants or other
17		-	game birds securely confined and lawfully owned and possessed by any
18		-	person under the provisions of section 26-40] has the same meaning as
19		-	provided in section 22-326s;
20		-	Sec. 2. Section 22-327 of the general statutes is amended by adding
21		-	subdivision (13) as follows (Effective from passage):
22		-	(NEW) (13) "Service animal" has the same meaning as provided in 28
23		-	CFR 35.104 and includes any animal in training to become a service
24		-	animal.
25		-	Sec. 3. Section 22-329 of the general statutes is repealed and the
26		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
27		-	[The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal
28		-	control officer, any municipal] Any animal control officer or regional Substitute ~~House~~ Bill No. 6504
	18	+	Section 1. Subdivision (10) of section 22-327 of the general statutes is 1
	19	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 2
	20	+	passage): 3
	21	+	(10) "Poultry" [means all domestic fowl and any pheasants or other 4
	22	+	game birds securely confined and lawfully owned and possessed by any 5
	23	+	person under the provisions of section 26-40] has the same meaning as 6
	24	+	provided in section 22-326s; 7
	25	+	Sec. 2. Section 22-327 of the general statutes is amended by adding 8
	26	+	subdivision (13) as follows (Effective from passage): 9
	27	+	(NEW) (13) "Service animal" has the same meaning as provided in 28 10
	28	+	CFR 35.104 and includes any animal in training to become a service 11
	29	+	animal. 12
	30	+	Sec. 3. Section 22-329 of the general statutes is repealed and the 13
	31	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 14
	32	+	[The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal 15
	33	+	control officer, any municipal] Any animal control officer or regional 16 Substitute Bill No. 6504
29	34
30		-	Public Act No. 21-90 2 of 20
31	35
32		-	animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331, as
33		-	amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as applicable,
34		-	or any law enforcement officer may interfere to prevent any act of
35		-	cruelty upon any dog or other animal, and any person who interferes
36		-	with or obstructs or resists [the commissioner or] any such officer in the
37		-	discharge of such duty shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
38		-	Sec. 4. Section 22-329a of the general statutes is repealed and the
39		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
40		-	(a) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or
41		-	any municipal or regional animal control officer] Any animal control
42		-	officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section
43		-	22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this
44		-	act, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal when such
45		-	animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe that such animal
46		-	is in imminent harm and is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of
47		-	section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or
48		-	53-252, and, not later than ninety-six hours after taking physical
49		-	custody, shall proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section,
50		-	except that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State
51		-	Veterinarian, at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken,
52		-	such animal is so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed]
53		-	euthanized immediately, such officer may [humanely destroy or cause
54		-	such animal to be humanely destroyed] have such animal humanely
55		-	euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
56		-	(b) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or
57		-	any municipal or regional animal control officer] Any animal control
58		-	officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section
59		-	22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this
60		-	act, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal upon
61		-	issuance of a warrant finding probable cause that such animal is
62		-	neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53- Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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64		-	Public Act No. 21-90 3 of 20
	40	+	animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331, as 17
	41	+	amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as applicable, 18
	42	+	or any law enforcement officer may interfere to prevent any act of 19
	43	+	cruelty upon any dog or other animal, and any person who interferes 20
	44	+	with or obstructs or resists [the commissioner or] any such officer in the 21
	45	+	discharge of such duty shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor. 22
	46	+	Sec. 4. Section 22-329a of the general statutes is repealed and the 23
	47	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 24
	48	+	(a) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or 25
	49	+	any municipal or regional animal control officer] Any animal control 26
	50	+	officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 27
	51	+	22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this 28
	52	+	act, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal when such 29
	53	+	animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe that such animal 30
	54	+	is in imminent harm and is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of 31
	55	+	section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 32
	56	+	53-252, and, not later than ninety-six hours after taking physical 33
	57	+	custody, shall proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section, 34
	58	+	except that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State 35
	59	+	Veterinarian, at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken, 36
	60	+	such animal is so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] 37
	61	+	euthanized immediately, such officer may [humanely destroy or cause 38
	62	+	such animal to be humanely destroyed] have such animal humanely 39
	63	+	euthanized by a licensed veterinarian. 40
	64	+	(b) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or 41
	65	+	any municipal or regional animal control officer] Any animal control 42
	66	+	officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 43
	67	+	22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this 44
	68	+	act, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal upon 45
	69	+	issuance of a warrant finding probable cause that such animal is 46
	70	+	neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-47
	71	+	247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 53-252, and shall 48
	72	+	thereupon proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section except 49 Substitute Bill No. 6504
65	73
66		-	247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 53-252, and shall
67		-	thereupon proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section except
68		-	that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State Veterinarian,
69		-	at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken, such animal
70		-	is so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] euthanized
71		-	immediately, such officer may [humanely destroy or cause such animal
72		-	to be humanely destroyed] have such animal humanely euthanized by
73		-	a licensed veterinarian.
74		-	(c) Such officer shall file with the superior court which has venue over
75		-	such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford
76		-	at Hartford a verified petition plainly stating such facts of neglect or
77		-	cruel treatment as to bring such animal within the jurisdiction of the
78		-	court and praying for appropriate action by the court in accordance with
79		-	the provisions of this section. Upon the filing of such petition, the court
80		-	shall cause a summons to be issued requiring the owner or owners or
81		-	person having responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to
82		-	appear in court at the time and place named.
83		-	(d) If physical custody of an animal has been taken pursuant to
84		-	subsection (a) or (b) of this section and it appears from the allegations of
85		-	the petition filed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and other
86		-	affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided subsequent
87		-	thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the animal's condition
88		-	or the circumstances surrounding its care require that temporary care
89		-	and custody be immediately assumed to safeguard its welfare, the court
90		-	shall either (1) issue an order to show cause why the court should not
91		-	vest in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency
92		-	or person the animal's temporary care and custody pending a hearing
93		-	on the petition, or (2) issue an order vesting in some suitable state,
94		-	municipal or other public or private agency or person the animal's
95		-	temporary care and custody pending a hearing on the petition. A
96		-	hearing on the order issued by the court pursuant to subdivision (1) or Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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98		-	Public Act No. 21-90 4 of 20
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100		-	(2) of this subsection shall be held not later than fourteen days after the
101		-	issuance of such order. The service of such order may be made by any
102		-	officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or
103		-	indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours
104		-	prior to the date and time of such hearing. If the owner or owners or
105		-	person having responsibility for the care of the animal is not known,
106		-	notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication
107		-	in a newspaper having a circulation in the town in which such officer
108		-	took physical custody of such animal not less than forty-eight hours
109		-	prior to the date and time of such hearing.
110		-	(e) If physical custody of an animal has not been taken pursuant to
111		-	subsection (a) or (b) of this section, and [the Chief Animal Control
112		-	Officer, any animal control officer or any municipal or regional animal
113		-	control] such officer has reasonable cause to believe that an animal is
114		-	neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-
115		-	247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 53-252, such [animal
116		-	control] officer may file a petition with the superior court which has
117		-	venue over such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district
118		-	of Hartford at Hartford, plainly stating such facts of neglect or cruel
119		-	treatment as to bring the animal within the jurisdiction of the court and
120		-	praying for appropriate action by the court to ensure the welfare of the
121		-	animal including, but not limited to, physical removal and temporary
122		-	care and custody of the animal, authorization of an animal control
123		-	officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section
124		-	22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this
125		-	act, as applicable, or a licensed veterinarian to provide care for the
126		-	animal on site, vesting of ownership of the animal, the posting of a bond
127		-	in accordance with subsection (f) of this section and the assessment of
128		-	costs in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. Upon the filing of
129		-	such petition, the court shall cause a summons for an order to show
130		-	cause to be issued requiring the owner or owners or person having
131		-	responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to appear in court at Substitute House Bill No. 6504
	79	+	that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State Veterinarian, 50
	80	+	at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken, such animal 51
	81	+	is so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] euthanized 52
	82	+	immediately, such officer may [humanely destroy or cause such animal 53
	83	+	to be humanely destroyed] have such animal humanely euthanized by 54
	84	+	a licensed veterinarian. 55
	85	+	(c) Such officer shall file with the superior court which has venue over 56
	86	+	such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford 57
	87	+	at Hartford a verified petition plainly stating such facts of neglect or 58
	88	+	cruel treatment as to bring such animal within the jurisdiction of the 59
	89	+	court and praying for appropriate action by the court in accordance with 60
	90	+	the provisions of this section. Upon the filing of such petition, the court 61
	91	+	shall cause a summons to be issued requiring the owner or owners or 62
	92	+	person having responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to 63
	93	+	appear in court at the time and place named. 64
	94	+	(d) If physical custody of an animal has been taken pursuant to 65
	95	+	subsection (a) or (b) of this section and it appears from the allegations of 66
	96	+	the petition filed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and other 67
	97	+	affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided subsequent 68
	98	+	thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the animal's condition 69
	99	+	or the circumstances surrounding its care require that temporary care 70
	100	+	and custody be immediately assumed to safeguard its welfare, the court 71
	101	+	shall either (1) issue an order to show cause why the court should not 72
	102	+	vest in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency 73
	103	+	or person the animal's temporary care and custody pending a hearing 74
	104	+	on the petition, or (2) issue an order vesting in some suitable state, 75
	105	+	municipal or other public or private agency or person the animal's 76
	106	+	temporary care and custody pending a hearing on the petition. A 77
	107	+	hearing on the order issued by the court pursuant to subdivision (1) or 78
	108	+	(2) of this subsection shall be held not later than fourteen days after the 79
	109	+	issuance of such order. The service of such order may be made by any 80
	110	+	officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or 81
	111	+	indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours 82 Substitute Bill No. 6504
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133		-	Public Act No. 21-90 5 of 20
134	113
135		-	the time and place named. If the owner or owners or person having
136		-	responsibility for the care of the animal is not known, notice of the time
137		-	and place of the hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper
138		-	having a circulation in the town where the animal is located not less than
139		-	forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of the hearing. If it appears
140		-	from the allegations of the petition filed pursuant to this subsection and
141		-	other affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided
142		-	subsequent thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the
143		-	animal's condition or the circumstances surrounding its care require the
144		-	immediate removal of the animal from the owner or owners or person
145		-	having responsibility for the care of the animal to safeguard its welfare,
146		-	the court shall issue an order vesting in some suitable state, municipal
147		-	or other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care
148		-	and custody pending a hearing on the petition which hearing shall be
149		-	held not later than ten days after the issuance of such order for such
150		-	temporary care and custody. The service of such order may be made by
151		-	any officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or
152		-	indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours
153		-	prior to the date and time of such hearing.
154		-	(f) If the court issues an order vesting the animal's temporary care
155		-	and custody in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private
156		-	agency or person, the owner or owners shall either relinquish
157		-	ownership of the animal or post a surety bond or cash bond with the
158		-	agency or person in whom the animal's temporary care and custody was
159		-	vested. The surety bond or cash bond shall be in the amount of five
160		-	hundred dollars for each animal placed in the temporary care or custody
161		-	of such agency or person and shall secure payment for the reasonable
162		-	expenses of the agency or person having temporary care and custody of
163		-	the animal in caring and providing for such animal until the court makes
164		-	a finding as to the animal's disposition under subsection (g) of this
165		-	section. The requirement that a bond be posted may be waived if such
166		-	owner provides satisfactory evidence that such owner is indigent and Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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	118	+	prior to the date and time of such hearing. If the owner or owners or 83
	119	+	person having responsibility for the care of the animal is not known, 84
	120	+	notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication 85
	121	+	in a newspaper having a circulation in the town in which such officer 86
	122	+	took physical custody of such animal not less than forty-eight hours 87
	123	+	prior to the date and time of such hearing. 88
	124	+	(e) If physical custody of an animal has not been taken pursuant to 89
	125	+	subsection (a) or (b) of this section, and [the Chief Animal Control 90
	126	+	Officer, any animal control officer or any municipal or regional animal 91
	127	+	control] such officer has reasonable cause to believe that an animal is 92
	128	+	neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-93
	129	+	247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 53-252, such [animal 94
	130	+	control] officer may file a petition with the superior court which has 95
	131	+	venue over such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district 96
	132	+	of Hartford at Hartford, plainly stating such facts of neglect or cruel 97
	133	+	treatment as to bring the animal within the jurisdiction of the court and 98
	134	+	praying for appropriate action by the court to ensure the welfare of the 99
	135	+	animal including, but not limited to, physical removal and temporary 100
	136	+	care and custody of the animal, authorization of an animal control 101
	137	+	officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 102
	138	+	22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this 103
	139	+	act, as applicable, or a licensed veterinarian to provide care for the 104
	140	+	animal on site, vesting of ownership of the animal, the posting of a bond 105
	141	+	in accordance with subsection (f) of this section and the assessment of 106
	142	+	costs in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. Upon the filing of 107
	143	+	such petition, the court shall cause a summons for an order to show 108
	144	+	cause to be issued requiring the owner or owners or person having 109
	145	+	responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to appear in court at 110
	146	+	the time and place named. If the owner or owners or person having 111
	147	+	responsibility for the care of the animal is not known, notice of the time 112
	148	+	and place of the hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper 113
	149	+	having a circulation in the town where the animal is located not less than 114
	150	+	forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of the hearing. If it appears 115
	151	+	from the allegations of the petition filed pursuant to this subsection and 116 Substitute Bill No. 6504
169	152
170		-	unable to pay for such bond.
171		-	(g) (1) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is neglected or
172		-	cruelly treated, it shall vest ownership of the animal in any state,
173		-	municipal or other public or private agency which is permitted by law
174		-	to care for neglected or cruelly treated animals or with any person found
175		-	to be suitable or worthy of such responsibility by the court.
176		-	(2) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is so injured or
177		-	diseased that it should be [destroyed] humanely euthanized, the court
178		-	may order that such animal be humanely [destroyed] euthanized by a
179		-	licensed veterinarian.
180		-	(3) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is not neglected or
181		-	cruelly treated, it may cause the animal to be returned to its owner or
182		-	owners or person having responsibility for its care or, if such owner or
183		-	owners or person is unknown or unwilling to resume caring for such
184		-	animal, it may vest ownership of the animal in any state, municipal or
185		-	other public or private agency or person found to be suitable or worthy
186		-	of such responsibility.
187		-	(4) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (1) or (2) of this
188		-	subsection less than thirty days after the issuance of an order of
189		-	temporary care and custody and the owner of the animal has posted a
190		-	bond, the agency or person with whom the bond was posted shall return
191		-	the balance of such bond, if any, to the owner. The amount of the bond
192		-	to be returned to the owner shall be calculated at the rate of fifteen
193		-	dollars per day per animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if
194		-	the animal is a horse or other large livestock for the number of days less
195		-	than thirty that such agency or person has not had temporary care and
196		-	custody of the animal less any veterinary costs and expenses incurred
197		-	for the welfare of the animal.
198		-	(5) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (3) of this Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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202		-	subsection after the issuance of an order of temporary care and custody
203		-	and the owner of the animal has posted a bond, the agency or person
204		-	with whom the bond was posted shall return such bond to such owner.
205		-	(h) If the court finds that the animal is neglected or cruelly treated,
206		-	the expenses incurred by the state or a municipality in providing proper
207		-	food, shelter and care to an animal it has taken custody of under
208		-	subsection (a) or (b) of this section and the expenses incurred by any
209		-	state, municipal or other public or private agency or person in providing
210		-	temporary care and custody pursuant to an order vesting temporary
211		-	care and custody, calculated at the rate of fifteen dollars per day per
212		-	animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if the animal is a horse
213		-	or other large livestock until the date ownership is vested pursuant to
214		-	subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section shall be paid by the
215		-	owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the
216		-	animal. In addition, all veterinary costs and expenses incurred for the
217		-	welfare of the animal that are not covered by the per diem rate shall be
218		-	paid by the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the
219		-	animal.
220		-	(i) If the court vests ownership of the animal in the Commissioner of
221		-	Agriculture or a municipality, the commissioner or the municipality
222		-	may conduct or participate in a public auction of the animal under such
223		-	conditions the commissioner or the municipality deems necessary or the
224		-	commissioner or the municipality may consign the animal to an auction
225		-	or sell the animal through an open advertised bid process whereby bid
226		-	price and demonstration of sufficient knowledge and ability to care for
227		-	such animal are factors for the commissioner's or municipality's
228		-	consideration. All moneys collected from the sale of animals sold by the
229		-	Commissioner of Agriculture through such open advertised bid process
230		-	shall be deposited in the animal abuse cost recovery account established
231		-	in subsection (j) of this section. All moneys collected from the sale of
232		-	animals sold by a municipality through such open advertised bid Substitute House Bill No. 6504
	158	+	other affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided 117
	159	+	subsequent thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the 118
	160	+	animal's condition or the circumstances surrounding its care require the 119
	161	+	immediate removal of the animal from the owner or owners or person 120
	162	+	having responsibility for the care of the animal to safeguard its welfare, 121
	163	+	the court shall issue an order vesting in some suitable state, municipal 122
	164	+	or other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care 123
	165	+	and custody pending a hearing on the petition which hearing shall be 124
	166	+	held not later than ten days after the issuance of such order for such 125
	167	+	temporary care and custody. The service of such order may be made by 126
	168	+	any officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or 127
	169	+	indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours 128
	170	+	prior to the date and time of such hearing. 129
	171	+	(f) If the court issues an order vesting the animal's temporary care 130
	172	+	and custody in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private 131
	173	+	agency or person, the owner or owners shall either relinquish 132
	174	+	ownership of the animal or post a surety bond or cash bond with the 133
	175	+	agency or person in whom the animal's temporary care and custody was 134
	176	+	vested. The surety bond or cash bond shall be in the amount of five 135
	177	+	hundred dollars for each animal placed in the temporary care or custody 136
	178	+	of such agency or person and shall secure payment for the reasonable 137
	179	+	expenses of the agency or person having temporary care and custody of 138
	180	+	the animal in caring and providing for such animal until the court makes 139
	181	+	a finding as to the animal's disposition under subsection (g) of this 140
	182	+	section. The requirement that a bond be posted may be waived if such 141
	183	+	owner provides satisfactory evidence that such owner is indigent and 142
	184	+	unable to pay for such bond. 143
	185	+	(g) (1) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is neglected or 144
	186	+	cruelly treated, it shall vest ownership of the animal in any state, 145
	187	+	municipal or other public or private agency which is permitted by law 146
	188	+	to care for neglected or cruelly treated animals or with any person found 147
	189	+	to be suitable or worthy of such responsibility by the court. 148
	190	+	(2) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is so injured or 149 Substitute Bill No. 6504
233	191
234		-	Public Act No. 21-90 8 of 20
235	192
236		-	process shall be deposited by the town treasurer or other fiscal officer in
237		-	the town's general fund. The commissioner or the municipality may also
238		-	vest ownership of any such animal in an individual or a public or private
239		-	nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization.
240		-	(j) There is established a separate, nonlapsing account within the
241		-	General Fund, to be known as the "animal abuse cost recovery account".
242		-	All moneys collected from sales at public auction of animals seized by
243		-	the Department of Agriculture pursuant to this section shall be
244		-	deposited into the account. Deposits of moneys may be made into the
245		-	account from public or private sources, including, but not limited to, the
246		-	federal government or municipal governments.
247		-	(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any
248		-	moneys received by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to
249		-	subsection (j) of this section shall be deposited in the General Fund and
250		-	credited to the animal abuse cost recovery account. The account shall be
251		-	available to the Commissioner of Agriculture for the purpose of the
252		-	housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department, until
253		-	final disposition of such animal. Additionally, the account may be used
254		-	for the purpose of providing reimbursement to any municipality for the
255		-	costs of providing temporary care to such animal if such temporary care
256		-	exceeded thirty days in duration and such costs exceeded the amount of
257		-	any surety bond or cash bond posted pursuant to subsection (f) of this
258		-	section provided the total annual reimbursement to municipalities from
259		-	said account for such purpose shall not exceed twenty-five thousand
260		-	dollars. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from
261		-	obtaining or using funds from sources other than the account for the
262		-	housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department
263		-	pursuant to this section.
264		-	Sec. 5. Section 22-331 of the general statutes is repealed and the
265		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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266	196
267		-	Public Act No. 21-90 9 of 20
	197	+	diseased that it should be [destroyed] humanely euthanized, the court 150
	198	+	may order that such animal be humanely [destroyed] euthanized by a 151
	199	+	licensed veterinarian. 152
	200	+	(3) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is not neglected or 153
	201	+	cruelly treated, it may cause the animal to be returned to its owner or 154
	202	+	owners or person having responsibility for its care or, if such owner or 155
	203	+	owners or person is unknown or unwilling to resume caring for such 156
	204	+	animal, it may vest ownership of the animal in any state, municipal or 157
	205	+	other public or private agency or person found to be suitable or worthy 158
	206	+	of such responsibility. 159
	207	+	(4) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (1) or (2) of this 160
	208	+	subsection less than thirty days after the issuance of an order of 161
	209	+	temporary care and custody and the owner of the animal has posted a 162
	210	+	bond, the agency or person with whom the bond was posted shall return 163
	211	+	the balance of such bond, if any, to the owner. The amount of the bond 164
	212	+	to be returned to the owner shall be calculated at the rate of fifteen 165
	213	+	dollars per day per animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if 166
	214	+	the animal is a horse or other large livestock for the number of days less 167
	215	+	than thirty that such agency or person has not had temporary care and 168
	216	+	custody of the animal less any veterinary costs and expenses incurred 169
	217	+	for the welfare of the animal. 170
	218	+	(5) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (3) of this 171
	219	+	subsection after the issuance of an order of temporary care and custody 172
	220	+	and the owner of the animal has posted a bond, the agency or person 173
	221	+	with whom the bond was posted shall return such bond to such owner. 174
	222	+	(h) If the court finds that the animal is neglected or cruelly treated, 175
	223	+	the expenses incurred by the state or a municipality in providing proper 176
	224	+	food, shelter and care to an animal it has taken custody of under 177
	225	+	subsection (a) or (b) of this section and the expenses incurred by any 178
	226	+	state, municipal or other public or private agency or person in providing 179
	227	+	temporary care and custody pursuant to an order vesting temporary 180
	228	+	care and custody, calculated at the rate of fifteen dollars per day per 181 Substitute Bill No. 6504
268	229
269		-	(a) In each municipality of the state having a population of more than
270		-	twenty-five thousand which has adopted the provisions of chapter 113,
271		-	or otherwise provided for a merit system for its employees, the chief of
272		-	police, or such other appointing authority as the charter may designate,
273		-	shall, appoint a full-time municipal animal control officer and such
274		-	assistants as are deemed necessary, subject to the provisions of said
275		-	chapter 113 or other merit system, to administer and enforce the laws
276		-	relating to dogs or other domestic animals. Any person so appointed
277		-	may be or become a member of the police department and for such
278		-	purpose the legislative body of such municipality may waive any
279		-	requirements as to age, sex, physical condition, education and training
280		-	applicable to other members of the police department. Any person so
281		-	appointed as a member of the police department shall be fully eligible
282		-	to participate in the retirement system of such department.
283		-	(b) Except as provided in section 22-331a, as amended by this act, the
284		-	chief or superintendent of police in each other city or town having a
285		-	police department and the selectmen or chief executive officer in each
286		-	town which has no police department, or such other appointing
287		-	authority as the charter of such town may designate, in their respective
288		-	jurisdictions, shall appoint a municipal animal control officer and such
289		-	assistants as are deemed necessary to administer and enforce the laws
290		-	relating to dogs and other domestic animals. Such officer and assistants
291		-	shall have such qualifications as the commissioner may prescribe and
292		-	shall serve for a term of at least one year.
293		-	(c) Each appointment made under the provisions of this section shall
294		-	be reported promptly to the commissioner. Each person appointed
295		-	under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall, and any
296		-	person appointed under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section
297		-	may, be paid a salary and expenses in lieu of the fees provided in section
298		-	22-334 and the amount thereof shall be transferred from the dog fund
299		-	account to the appropriation of the proper department. Substitute House Bill No. 6504
300	230
301		-	Public Act No. 21-90 10 of 20
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302	234
303		-	(d) The municipal animal control officer so appointed in any [city]
304		-	municipality the limits of which are not coterminous with those of the
305		-	[town] municipality in which it is located shall have authority as such
306		-	municipal animal control officer throughout such town, and the town
307		-	treasurer or other fiscal officer shall annually reimburse the [city]
308		-	municipality, from the dog fund account, for the salaries and expenses
309		-	of such officer or his or her assistants. The municipal animal control
310		-	officer so appointed in any town having a borough within its limits shall
311		-	have authority as such municipal animal control officer throughout the
312		-	limits of such town. If, in any [city or town] municipality, the officer or
313		-	officers charged with such duty fail to report such appointment, the
314		-	commissioner shall notify such officer or officers to make and report
315		-	such appointment within ten days of receipt of such notification, and, if
316		-	such appointment is not made within such time, the commissioner shall
317		-	appoint a municipal animal control officer for such [city or town]
318		-	municipality.
319		-	(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any
320		-	special act, municipal charter or ordinance, any chief elected official of
321		-	any municipality or a regional animal control facility may appoint, on a
322		-	temporary basis not to exceed ninety days, any animal control officer or
323		-	regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to this section or
324		-	section 22-331a, as amended by this act, as applicable, to act as an animal
325		-	control officer in such municipality or region. Any animal control officer
326		-	or regional animal control officer who provides services pursuant to an
327		-	appointment made in accordance with this subsection shall have all the
328		-	powers and authority granted to such animal control officer in the
329		-	municipality or region in which such officer is appointed. Any such
330		-	appointment made pursuant to this subsection shall be made in writing
331		-	and be approved by each of the chief elected officials of the
332		-	municipalities affected by such appointment and by each regional
333		-	animal control facility that is affected by such appointment. Such
334		-	written appointment shall include, at a minimum, information Substitute House Bill No. 6504
	235	+	animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if the animal is a horse 182
	236	+	or other large livestock until the date ownership is vested pursuant to 183
	237	+	subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section shall be paid by the 184
	238	+	owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the 185
	239	+	animal. In addition, all veterinary costs and expenses incurred for the 186
	240	+	welfare of the animal that are not covered by the per diem rate shall be 187
	241	+	paid by the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the 188
	242	+	animal. 189
	243	+	(i) If the court vests ownership of the animal in the Commissioner of 190
	244	+	Agriculture or a municipality, the commissioner or the municipality 191
	245	+	may conduct or participate in a public auction of the animal under such 192
	246	+	conditions the commissioner or the municipality deems necessary or the 193
	247	+	commissioner or the municipality may consign the animal to an auction 194
	248	+	or sell the animal through an open advertised bid process whereby bid 195
	249	+	price and demonstration of sufficient knowledge and ability to care for 196
	250	+	such animal are factors for the commissioner's or municipality's 197
	251	+	consideration. All moneys collected from the sale of animals sold by the 198
	252	+	Commissioner of Agriculture through such open advertised bid process 199
	253	+	shall be deposited in the animal abuse cost recovery account established 200
	254	+	in subsection (j) of this section. All moneys collected from the sale of 201
	255	+	animals sold by a municipality through such open advertised bid 202
	256	+	process shall be deposited by the town treasurer or other fiscal officer in 203
	257	+	the town's general fund. The commissioner or the municipality may also 204
	258	+	vest ownership of any such animal in an individual or a public or private 205
	259	+	nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization. 206
	260	+	(j) There is established a separate, nonlapsing account within the 207
	261	+	General Fund, to be known as the "animal abuse cost recovery account". 208
	262	+	All moneys collected from sales at public auction of animals seized by 209
	263	+	the Department of Agriculture pursuant to this section shall be 210
	264	+	deposited into the account. Deposits of moneys may be made into the 211
	265	+	account from public or private sources, including, but not limited to, the 212
	266	+	federal government or municipal governments. 213
	267	+	(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any 214 Substitute Bill No. 6504
335	268
336		-	Public Act No. 21-90 11 of 20
337	269
338		-	concerning the compensation to be paid to such officer, insurance
339		-	provided to such officer and the use of equipment, if any, for such
340		-	officer. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall be notified, in writing, of
341		-	any such appointment made pursuant to this subsection not later than
342		-	five days following such appointment.
343		-	Sec. 6. Section 22-331a of the general statutes is repealed and the
344		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
345		-	Any two or more towns each of which has a population of less than
346		-	fifty thousand, and which have or will provide a dog pound facility
347		-	within their region, by action of their [legislative bodies] board of
348		-	selectmen, town council or other governing body, may agree to be
349		-	served by a regional animal control officer. Upon certification of such
350		-	agreement to the commissioner with assurances from the towns so
351		-	certifying that they will provide and continue to provide adequate
352		-	facilities and compensation for such officer, the commissioner may, after
353		-	giving due regard to the regional aspects of the proposed facilities and
354		-	whether the proposed region would be in the best interests of the towns
355		-	so certifying, establish such region. Each person so appointed shall have
356		-	the same powers and duties within the region to which he is assigned
357		-	as a municipal animal control officer in each town therein. All costs of
358		-	maintaining and operating such pounds and administering and
359		-	enforcing the laws relating to dogs within such regions shall be paid in
360		-	accordance with the provisions of the agreement certified to the
361		-	commissioner under this section. Any pound facility operated pursuant
362		-	to this section shall meet the construction, maintenance and sanitation
363		-	standards established pursuant to section 22-336 and any regulations
364		-	adopted pursuant to said section, including, but not limited to,
365		-	standards for the handling and transportation of dogs and other
366		-	domestic animals.
367		-	Sec. 7. Section 22-332 of the general statutes is repealed and the
368		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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369	273
370		-	Public Act No. 21-90 12 of 20
	274	+	moneys received by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to 215
	275	+	subsection (j) of this section shall be deposited in the General Fund and 216
	276	+	credited to the animal abuse cost recovery account. The account shall be 217
	277	+	available to the Commissioner of Agriculture for the purpose of the 218
	278	+	housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department, until 219
	279	+	final disposition of such animal. Additionally, the account may be used 220
	280	+	for the purpose of providing reimbursement to any municipality for the 221
	281	+	costs of providing temporary care to such animal if such temporary care 222
	282	+	exceeded thirty days in duration and such costs exceeded the amount of 223
	283	+	any surety bond or cash bond posted pursuant to subsection (f) of this 224
	284	+	section provided the total annual reimbursement to municipalities from 225
	285	+	said account for such purpose shall not exceed twenty-five thousand 226
	286	+	dollars. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from 227
	287	+	obtaining or using funds from sources other than the account for the 228
	288	+	housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department 229
	289	+	pursuant to this section. 230
	290	+	Sec. 5. Section 22-331 of the general statutes is repealed and the 231
	291	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 232
	292	+	(a) In each municipality of the state having a population of more than 233
	293	+	twenty-five thousand which has adopted the provisions of chapter 113, 234
	294	+	or otherwise provided for a merit system for its employees, the chief of 235
	295	+	police, or such other appointing authority as the charter may designate, 236
	296	+	shall, appoint a full-time municipal animal control officer and such 237
	297	+	assistants as are deemed necessary, subject to the provisions of said 238
	298	+	chapter 113 or other merit system, to administer and enforce the laws 239
	299	+	relating to dogs or other domestic animals. Any person so appointed 240
	300	+	may be or become a member of the police department and for such 241
	301	+	purpose the legislative body of such municipality may waive any 242
	302	+	requirements as to age, sex, physical condition, education and training 243
	303	+	applicable to other members of the police department. Any person so 244
	304	+	appointed as a member of the police department shall be fully eligible 245
	305	+	to participate in the retirement system of such department. 246
	306	+	(b) Except as provided in section 22-331a, as amended by this act, the 247 Substitute Bill No. 6504
371	307
372		-	(a) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or
373		-	any municipal animal control officer] Any animal control officer or
374		-	regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-
375		-	331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as
376		-	applicable, shall be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and
377		-	shall make diligent search and inquiry for any violation of any of its
378		-	provisions. Any such officer may take into custody (1) any dog found
379		-	roaming in violation of the provisions of section 22-364, (2) any dog not
380		-	having a tag or plate on a collar about its neck or on a harness on its
381		-	body as provided by law or which is not confined or controlled in
382		-	accordance with the provisions of any order or regulation relating to
383		-	rabies issued by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of
384		-	this chapter, or (3) any dog or other domestic animal found injured on
385		-	any highway, neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated. The officer shall
386		-	impound such dog or other domestic animal at the pound serving the
387		-	town where the dog or other domestic animal is taken unless, in the
388		-	opinion of a licensed veterinarian, the dog or other domestic animal is
389		-	so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] euthanized
390		-	immediately, in which case the municipal animal control officer of such
391		-	town may [cause the dog or other domestic animal to be mercifully
392		-	killed] have such dog or other animal humanely euthanized by a
393		-	licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct.
394		-	The [municipal animal control] officer shall immediately notify the
395		-	owner or keeper of any dog or other [domestic] animal so taken, if
396		-	known, of its impoundment. [Such officer shall immediately notify the
397		-	owner or keeper of any other domestic animal which is taken into
398		-	custody, if such owner or keeper is known.] If the owner or keeper of
399		-	any such dog or other domestic animal is unknown, the officer shall
400		-	immediately tag or employ [such] other suitable means of official
401		-	identification of the dog or other domestic animal [as may be approved
402		-	by the Chief Animal Control Officer] and shall promptly cause (A) a
403		-	description of such dog or other domestic animal to be published once
404		-	in the lost and found column of a newspaper having a circulation in such Substitute House Bill No. 6504
405	308
406		-	Public Act No. 21-90 13 of 20
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407	312
408		-	town or that has a state-wide circulation, and (B) a photograph or
409		-	description of such dog or other domestic animal and the date on which
410		-	such dog or other domestic animal is no longer legally required to be
411		-	impounded to be posted on a national pet adoption Internet web site or
412		-	an Internet web site that is maintained or accessed by the animal control
413		-	officer and that is accessible to the public through an Internet search,
414		-	except such posting shall not be required if: (i) The dog or other
415		-	domestic animal is held pending the resolution of civil or criminal
416		-	litigation involving such dog or other domestic animal, (ii) the officer
417		-	has a good faith belief that the dog or other domestic animal would be
418		-	adopted by or transferred to a public or private nonprofit rescue
419		-	organization for the purpose of placing such dog or other domestic
420		-	animal in an adoptive home even in the absence of such posting, (iii) the
421		-	dog or other domestic animal's safety will be placed at risk, or (iv) such
422		-	animal control officer determines that such dog or other domestic
423		-	animal is feral and not adoptable. If any animal control officer does not
424		-	have the technological resources to post such information on an Internet
425		-	web site as required by subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, such
426		-	officer may contact a public or private animal rescue organization and
427		-	request that such organization post such information, at such
428		-	organization's expense, on an Internet web site that is accessible to the
429		-	public through an Internet search. To the extent practicable, any such
430		-	posting by an animal control officer or a public or private animal rescue
431		-	organization shall remain posted for the duration of such dog's or other
432		-	domestic animal's impoundment in the municipal or regional dog
433		-	pound.
434		-	(b) If such dog or other domestic animal is not claimed by and
435		-	released to the owner within seven days after the date of publication,
436		-	[the municipal animal control] such officer, upon finding such dog or
437		-	other domestic animal to be in satisfactory health, may have a licensed
438		-	veterinarian spay or neuter such dog and sell such dog or other
439		-	domestic animal to any person who satisfies such officer that such Substitute House Bill No. 6504
	313	+	chief or superintendent of police in each other city or town having a 248
	314	+	police department and the selectmen or chief executive officer in each 249
	315	+	town which has no police department, or such other appointing 250
	316	+	authority as the charter of such town may designate, in their respective 251
	317	+	jurisdictions, shall appoint a municipal animal control officer and such 252
	318	+	assistants as are deemed necessary to administer and enforce the laws 253
	319	+	relating to dogs and other domestic animals. Such officer and assistants 254
	320	+	shall have such qualifications as the commissioner may prescribe and 255
	321	+	shall serve for a term of at least one year. 256
	322	+	(c) Each appointment made under the provisions of this section shall 257
	323	+	be reported promptly to the commissioner. Each person appointed 258
	324	+	under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall, and any 259
	325	+	person appointed under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section 260
	326	+	may, be paid a salary and expenses in lieu of the fees provided in section 261
	327	+	22-334 and the amount thereof shall be transferred from the dog fund 262
	328	+	account to the appropriation of the proper department. 263
	329	+	(d) The municipal animal control officer so appointed in any [city] 264
	330	+	municipality the limits of which are not coterminous with those of the 265
	331	+	[town] municipality in which it is located shall have authority as such 266
	332	+	municipal animal control officer throughout such town, and the town 267
	333	+	treasurer or other fiscal officer shall annually reimburse the [city] 268
	334	+	municipality, from the dog fund account, for the salaries and expenses 269
	335	+	of such officer or his or her assistants. The municipal animal control 270
	336	+	officer so appointed in any town having a borough within its limits shall 271
	337	+	have authority as such municipal animal control officer throughout the 272
	338	+	limits of such town. If, in any [city or town] municipality, the officer or 273
	339	+	officers charged with such duty fail to report such appointment, the 274
	340	+	commissioner shall notify such officer or officers to make and report 275
	341	+	such appointment within ten days of receipt of such notification, and, if 276
	342	+	such appointment is not made within such time, the commissioner shall 277
	343	+	appoint a municipal animal control officer for such [city or town] 278
	344	+	municipality. 279
	345	+	(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any 280 Substitute Bill No. 6504
440	346
441		-	Public Act No. 21-90 14 of 20
442	347
443		-	person is purchasing such dog or other domestic animal as a pet and
444		-	that such person can give it a good home and proper care. [The
445		-	municipal animal control] Such officer may retain possession of such
446		-	dog or other domestic animal for such additional period of time as such
447		-	[animal control] officer may deem advisable in order to place such dog
448		-	or other domestic animal as a pet and may have a licensed veterinarian
449		-	spay or neuter such dog. If, within such period, any dog or other
450		-	domestic animal is not claimed by and released to the owner or keeper
451		-	or purchased as a pet, the officer shall cause such dog or other domestic
452		-	animal to be [mercifully killed] humanely euthanized by a licensed
453		-	veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. Any
454		-	veterinarian who so [destroys] euthanizes a dog shall be paid from the
455		-	dog fund account. No person who [so destroys] euthanizes a dog or
456		-	other domestic animal shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor
457		-	nor shall any licensed veterinarian who spays or neuters a dog pursuant
458		-	to this section be held civilly liable. [, including, but not limited to,
459		-	liability for reconstructive neutical implantation surgery.]
460		-	(c) The town treasurer or other fiscal officer shall pay from the dog
461		-	fund account the advertising expense incurred under the provisions of
462		-	this section upon receipt of an itemized statement together with a copy
463		-	of the advertisement as published. Any person who purchases a dog as
464		-	a pet shall pay a fee of five dollars and procure a license and tag for such
465		-	dog from the town clerk, in accordance with the provisions of section
466		-	22-338. In addition to the five-dollar fee, any person who purchases a
467		-	dog as a pet may be charged the cost the municipality incurred, if any,
468		-	to spay or neuter and vaccinate the dog, provided such charge shall not
469		-	exceed one hundred fifty dollars.
470		-	(d) No regional or municipal dog pound facility, municipality,
471		-	[regional or municipal animal control officer] animal control officer or
472		-	regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-
473		-	331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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474	351
475		-	Public Act No. 21-90 15 of 20
	352	+	special act, municipal charter or ordinance, any chief elected official of 281
	353	+	any municipality or a regional animal control facility may appoint, on a 282
	354	+	temporary basis not to exceed ninety days, any animal control officer or 283
	355	+	regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to this section or 284
	356	+	section 22-331a, as amended by this act, as applicable, to act as an animal 285
	357	+	control officer in such municipality or region. Any animal control officer 286
	358	+	or regional animal control officer who provides services pursuant to an 287
	359	+	appointment made in accordance with this subsection shall have all the 288
	360	+	powers and authority granted to such animal control officer in the 289
	361	+	municipality or region in which such officer is appointed. Any such 290
	362	+	appointment made pursuant to this subsection shall be made in writing 291
	363	+	and be approved by each of the chief elected officials of the 292
	364	+	municipalities affected by such appointment and by each regional 293
	365	+	animal control facility that is affected by such appointment. Such 294
	366	+	written appointment shall include, at a minimum, information 295
	367	+	concerning the compensation to be paid to such officer, insurance 296
	368	+	provided to such officer and the use of equipment, if any, for such 297
	369	+	officer. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall be notified, in writing, of 298
	370	+	any such appointment made pursuant to this subsection not later than 299
	371	+	five days following such appointment. 300
	372	+	Sec. 6. Section 22-331a of the general statutes is repealed and the 301
	373	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 302
	374	+	Any two or more towns each of which has a population of less than 303
	375	+	fifty thousand, and which have or will provide a dog pound facility 304
	376	+	within their region, by action of their [legislative bodies] board of 305
	377	+	selectmen, town council or other governing body, may agree to be 306
	378	+	served by a regional animal control officer. Upon certification of such 307
	379	+	agreement to the commissioner with assurances from the towns so 308
	380	+	certifying that they will provide and continue to provide adequate 309
	381	+	facilities and compensation for such officer, the commissioner may, after 310
	382	+	giving due regard to the regional aspects of the proposed facilities and 311
	383	+	whether the proposed region would be in the best interests of the towns 312
	384	+	so certifying, establish such region. Each person so appointed shall have 313 Substitute Bill No. 6504
476	385
477		-	applicable, or public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization
478		-	that arranges for the provision of treatment by a licensed veterinarian to
479		-	an injured, sick or diseased animal pursuant to a contract described in
480		-	section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for such actions unless such
481		-	actions are performed in a wanton, reckless or malicious manner. No
482		-	licensed veterinarian who provides treatment free of charge or for a
483		-	reduced fee, to an injured, sick or diseased animal as a direct result of a
484		-	contract described in section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for the
485		-	provision of such treatment unless such actions are performed in a
486		-	wilful, wanton or reckless manner.
487		-	Sec. 8. Section 22-344f of the general statutes is repealed and the
488		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
489		-	(a) Any animal importer and any person who operates or maintains
490		-	an animal shelter, as defined in section 22-344, shall, not later than forty-
491		-	eight hours after importing any dog or cat into this state and prior to the
492		-	sale, adoption or transfer of such dog or cat to any person, provide for
493		-	the examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under
494		-	chapter 384. Thereafter, such animal importer or person who operates
495		-	or maintains an animal shelter shall provide for the examination of such
496		-	dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 every ninety
497		-	days until such dog or cat is sold, adopted or transferred, provided no
498		-	such dog or cat shall be sold, adopted or transferred to another person
499		-	by an animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal
500		-	shelter unless (1) such dog or cat was examined by a veterinarian
501		-	licensed under chapter 384 not more than fifteen days prior to the sale,
502		-	adoption or transfer of such dog or cat, and (2) such veterinarian
503		-	provides such animal importer or person who operates or maintains an
504		-	animal shelter with a written certificate stating that such dog or cat is
505		-	free of any symptoms of any illness, infectious, contagious or
506		-	communicable disease. Such certificate shall list the name, address and
507		-	contact information of such animal importer or person who operates or Substitute House Bill No. 6504
508	386
509		-	Public Act No. 21-90 16 of 20
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510	390
511		-	maintains an animal shelter. Any animal importer or person who
512		-	operates or maintains an animal shelter who violates the provisions of
513		-	this subsection shall be fined [not more than five hundred dollars for
514		-	each animal that is the subject of such violation] for a first violation, two
515		-	hundred fifty dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation,
516		-	and for any subsequent violation, five hundred dollars for each animal
517		-	that is the subject of such violation.
518		-	(b) Each animal importer and each person who operates or maintains
519		-	an animal shelter shall maintain a record of the veterinary services
520		-	rendered to each dog or cat imported into this state by such animal
521		-	importer or person. Such record shall be maintained by such animal
522		-	importer or person for a period of three years. Any animal importer or
523		-	such person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined
524		-	[five hundred dollars] two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation and
525		-	five hundred dollars for any subsequent violation.
526		-	Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Notwithstanding any provision
527		-	of chapter 435 of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Agriculture
528		-	shall develop a waiver request process and form for the owner, keeper
529		-	or veterinarian for any animal that was attacked and that may have been
530		-	exposed to rabies as a result of such attack to request a reduction of the
531		-	requisite quarantine period for such animal from six months to four
532		-	months if such owner, keeper or veterinarian submits proof with such
533		-	waiver request that such animal was vaccinated for rabies not more than
534		-	ninety-six hours after such attack. Such waiver request process and form
535		-	shall be: (1) Posted on the Internet web site of the Department of
536		-	Agriculture, (2) made publicly available and accessible, and (3) made
537		-	known to veterinarians throughout the state by said department.
538		-	Sec. 10. Subsection (b) of section 22-380g of the general statutes is
539		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
540		-	31, 2021): Substitute House Bill No. 6504
	391	+	the same powers and duties within the region to which he is assigned 314
	392	+	as a municipal animal control officer in each town therein. All costs of 315
	393	+	maintaining and operating such pounds and administering and 316
	394	+	enforcing the laws relating to dogs within such regions shall be paid in 317
	395	+	accordance with the provisions of the agreement certified to the 318
	396	+	commissioner under this section. Any pound facility operated pursuant 319
	397	+	to this section shall meet the construction, maintenance and sanitation 320
	398	+	standards established pursuant to section 22-336 and any regulations 321
	399	+	adopted pursuant to said section, including, but not limited to, 322
	400	+	standards for the handling and transportation of dogs and other 323
	401	+	domestic animals. 324
	402	+	Sec. 7. Section 22-332 of the general statutes is repealed and the 325
	403	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 326
	404	+	(a) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or 327
	405	+	any municipal animal control officer] Any animal control officer or 328
	406	+	regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-329
	407	+	331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as 330
	408	+	applicable, shall be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and 331
	409	+	shall make diligent search and inquiry for any violation of any of its 332
	410	+	provisions. Any such officer may take into custody (1) any dog found 333
	411	+	roaming in violation of the provisions of section 22-364, (2) any dog not 334
	412	+	having a tag or plate on a collar about its neck or on a harness on its 335
	413	+	body as provided by law or which is not confined or controlled in 336
	414	+	accordance with the provisions of any order or regulation relating to 337
	415	+	rabies issued by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of 338
	416	+	this chapter, or (3) any dog or other domestic animal found injured on 339
	417	+	any highway, neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated. The officer shall 340
	418	+	impound such dog or other domestic animal at the pound serving the 341
	419	+	town where the dog or other domestic animal is taken unless, in the 342
	420	+	opinion of a licensed veterinarian, the dog or other domestic animal is 343
	421	+	so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] euthanized 344
	422	+	immediately, in which case the municipal animal control officer of such 345
	423	+	town may [cause the dog or other domestic animal to be mercifully 346 Substitute Bill No. 6504
541	424
542		-	Public Act No. 21-90 17 of 20
543	425
544		-	(b) Not more than [ten] twenty per cent of the funds deposited in the
545		-	animal population control account in accordance with subsection (f) of
546		-	section 14-21h, subsection (a) of section 22-338, section 22-380f and
547		-	section 22-380l shall be used for the sterilization and vaccination of feral
548		-	cats program in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this
549		-	section.
550		-	Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 22-380i of the general statutes is
551		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
552		-	31, 2021):
553		-	(a) The program established under section 22-380g, as amended by
554		-	this act, shall provide for payment to any participating veterinarian of
555		-	an amount equivalent to the voucher issued pursuant to section 22-380f
556		-	for each animal sterilization and vaccinations, coincident with
557		-	sterilization, performed by such veterinarian upon a dog or cat owned
558		-	by an eligible owner. For a sterilization procedure, [such voucher shall
559		-	be in the amount of one hundred twenty dollars for a female dog, one
560		-	hundred dollars for a male dog, seventy dollars for a female cat and fifty
561		-	dollars for a male cat] the Commissioner of Agriculture shall establish a
562		-	rate of reimbursement that is not more than seventy-five per cent of the
563		-	market rate or the fee charged by veterinarians in the state as of October
564		-	31, 2021. In the case of a sterilization fee exceeding the amount of the
565		-	voucher, the eligible owner shall pay the participating veterinarian the
566		-	difference between such fee and the amount of the voucher. Such
567		-	voucher shall be in the amount of [twenty] thirty dollars, in addition to
568		-	the amount designated for sterilization, for vaccinations coincident with
569		-	the sterilization of a dog or cat owned by an eligible owner.
570		-	Sec. 12. Section 20-197 of the general statutes is repealed and the
571		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
572		-	(a) No person shall practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry
573		-	until [he] such person has obtained a license as provided in section 20- Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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574	429
575		-	Public Act No. 21-90 18 of 20
	430	+	killed] have such dog or other animal humanely euthanized by a 347
	431	+	licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. 348
	432	+	The [municipal animal control] officer shall immediately notify the 349
	433	+	owner or keeper of any dog or other [domestic] animal so taken, if 350
	434	+	known, of its impoundment. [Such officer shall immediately notify the 351
	435	+	owner or keeper of any other domestic animal which is taken into 352
	436	+	custody, if such owner or keeper is known.] If the owner or keeper of 353
	437	+	any such dog or other domestic animal is unknown, the officer shall 354
	438	+	immediately tag or employ [such] other suitable means of official 355
	439	+	identification of the dog or other domestic animal [as may be approved 356
	440	+	by the Chief Animal Control Officer] and shall promptly cause (A) a 357
	441	+	description of such dog or other domestic animal to be published once 358
	442	+	in the lost and found column of a newspaper having a circulation in such 359
	443	+	town or that has a state-wide circulation, and (B) a photograph or 360
	444	+	description of such dog or other domestic animal and the date on which 361
	445	+	such dog or other domestic animal is no longer legally required to be 362
	446	+	impounded to be posted on a national pet adoption Internet web site or 363
	447	+	an Internet web site that is maintained or accessed by the animal control 364
	448	+	officer and that is accessible to the public through an Internet search, 365
	449	+	except such posting shall not be required if: (i) The dog or other 366
	450	+	domestic animal is held pending the resolution of civil or criminal 367
	451	+	litigation involving such dog or other domestic animal, (ii) the officer 368
	452	+	has a good faith belief that the dog or other domestic animal would be 369
	453	+	adopted by or transferred to a public or private nonprofit rescue 370
	454	+	organization for the purpose of placing such dog or other domestic 371
	455	+	animal in an adoptive home even in the absence of such posting, (iii) the 372
	456	+	dog or other domestic animal's safety will be placed at risk, or (iv) such 373
	457	+	animal control officer determines that such dog or other domestic 374
	458	+	animal is feral and not adoptable. If any animal control officer does not 375
	459	+	have the technological resources to post such information on an Internet 376
	460	+	web site as required by subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, such 377
	461	+	officer may contact a public or private animal rescue organization and 378
	462	+	request that such organization post such information, at such 379
	463	+	organization's expense, on an Internet web site that is accessible to the 380
	464	+	public through an Internet search. To the extent practicable, any such 381 Substitute Bill No. 6504
576	465
577		-	199. A person shall be construed to practice veterinary medicine,
578		-	surgery or dentistry, within the meaning of this chapter, who holds
579		-	himself or herself out as being able to diagnose, administer biologics for,
580		-	treat, operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury,
581		-	deformity or physical condition, or who either offers or undertakes, by
582		-	any means or methods, to diagnose, administer biologics for, treat,
583		-	operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury,
584		-	deformity or physical condition. The euthanizing of animals in
585		-	accordance with applicable state and federal drug laws by the
586		-	Connecticut Humane Society, the floating of teeth in horses by persons
587		-	experienced in that practice and the performance of myofascial trigger
588		-	point therapy by persons experienced in that practice shall not be
589		-	deemed to be the practice of veterinary medicine. For the purposes of
590		-	this section, "floating teeth" means using hand-held rasps to reduce or
591		-	eliminate sharp or uneven edges on a horse's upper and lower molars
592		-	to avoid injury to the tongue and cheeks and to improve chewing food,
593		-	but does not include treating decay or tumors or extracting teeth. For
594		-	the purposes of this section, "myofascial trigger point therapy" means
595		-	the use of specific palpation, compression, stretching and corrective
596		-	exercise for promoting optimum athleticism, and "persons experienced
597		-	in that practice" means persons who, prior to October 1, 2003, have
598		-	attended a minimum of two hundred hours of classroom, lecture and
599		-	hands-on practice in myofascial trigger point therapy, including animal
600		-	musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics, theory and application of
601		-	animal myofascial trigger point techniques, factors that habituate a
602		-	presenting condition and corrective exercise.
603		-	(b) No veterinarian licensed under this chapter may practice
604		-	veterinary medicine on an animal without first establishing a
605		-	veterinarian-client-patient relationship with the animal and the owner
606		-	of the animal or person responsible for the care of the animal, except
607		-	that a veterinarian licensed under this chapter may provide, in good
608		-	faith, emergency or urgent care to an animal when no veterinarian- Substitute House Bill No. 6504
609	466
610		-	Public Act No. 21-90 19 of 20
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611	470
612		-	client-patient relationship has been established if the owner of the
613		-	animal or person responsible for the care of such animal cannot be
614		-	identified. A veterinarian shall be deemed to have established a
615		-	veterinarian-client-patient relationship if the following conditions have
616		-	been met:
617		-	(1) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility of making
618		-	medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for
619		-	the provision of medical care or treatment to the animal and has
620		-	instructed the owner of the animal or person responsible for the care of
621		-	the animal on the appropriate course of medical care or treatment of the
622		-	animal;
623		-	(2) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to make
624		-	at least a preliminary or general diagnosis of the animal;
625		-	(3) The owner of the animal or person responsible for the care of the
626		-	animal has agreed to follow the veterinarian's recommendations
627		-	regarding medical care or treatment of the animal;
628		-	(4) The veterinarian is available for a follow-up evaluation of the
629		-	animal or has arranged for (A) emergency or urgent care coverage for
630		-	the animal, or (B) continuing medical care or treatment of the animal, as
631		-	designated by the veterinarian, by another licensed veterinarian who (i)
632		-	has access to the animal's medical records, or (ii) can provide reasonable
633		-	and appropriate medical care or treatment to the animal;
634		-	(5) The veterinarian oversees the medical care or treatment of the
635		-	animal; and
636		-	(6) The veterinarian (A) has performed a physical examination of the
637		-	animal, or (B) is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the
638		-	animal by virtue of providing timely and appropriate medical care or
639		-	treatment to another animal at the same location where the animal is
640		-	kept. Substitute House Bill No. 6504
	471	+	posting by an animal control officer or a public or private animal rescue 382
	472	+	organization shall remain posted for the duration of such dog's or other 383
	473	+	domestic animal's impoundment in the municipal or regional dog 384
	474	+	pound. 385
	475	+	(b) If such dog or other domestic animal is not claimed by and 386
	476	+	released to the owner within seven days after the date of publication, 387
	477	+	[the municipal animal control] such officer, upon finding such dog or 388
	478	+	other domestic animal to be in satisfactory health, may have a licensed 389
	479	+	veterinarian spay or neuter such dog and sell such dog or other 390
	480	+	domestic animal to any person who satisfies such officer that such 391
	481	+	person is purchasing such dog or other domestic animal as a pet and 392
	482	+	that such person can give it a good home and proper care. [The 393
	483	+	municipal animal control] Such officer may retain possession of such 394
	484	+	dog or other domestic animal for such additional period of time as such 395
	485	+	[animal control] officer may deem advisable in order to place such dog 396
	486	+	or other domestic animal as a pet and may have a licensed veterinarian 397
	487	+	spay or neuter such dog. If, within such period, any dog or other 398
	488	+	domestic animal is not claimed by and released to the owner or keeper 399
	489	+	or purchased as a pet, the officer shall cause such dog or other domestic 400
	490	+	animal to be [mercifully killed] humanely euthanized by a licensed 401
	491	+	veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. Any 402
	492	+	veterinarian who so [destroys] euthanizes a dog shall be paid from the 403
	493	+	dog fund account. No person who [so destroys] euthanizes a dog or 404
	494	+	other domestic animal shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor 405
	495	+	nor shall any licensed veterinarian who spays or neuters a dog pursuant 406
	496	+	to this section be held civilly liable. [, including, but not limited to, 407
	497	+	liability for reconstructive neutical implantation surgery.] 408
	498	+	(c) The town treasurer or other fiscal officer shall pay from the dog 409
	499	+	fund account the advertising expense incurred under the provisions of 410
	500	+	this section upon receipt of an itemized statement together with a copy 411
	501	+	of the advertisement as published. Any person who purchases a dog as 412
	502	+	a pet shall pay a fee of five dollars and procure a license and tag for such 413
	503	+	dog from the town clerk, in accordance with the provisions of section 414 Substitute Bill No. 6504
641	504
642		-	Public Act No. 21-90 20 of 20
643	505
644		-	(c) A veterinarian-client-patient relationship may not be established
645		-	solely through veterinary telemedicine. After a veterinarian-client-
646		-	patient relationship has been established, such relationship may be
647		-	maintained through veterinary telemedicine in between medically
648		-	necessary examinations of the animal by the veterinarian or timely
649		-	medical visits by the veterinarian to the location where the animal is
650		-	kept. If there is no veterinarian-client-patient relationship, a veterinarian
651		-	may only provide general advice using electronic means and shall not
652		-	provide any specific advice regarding the animal, including, but not
653		-	limited to, any diagnosis or recommended medical care or treatment of
654		-	the animal. As used in this subsection, "veterinary telemedicine" means
655		-	the exchange of medical information regarding the status of an animal's
656		-	health or the delivery of a medical diagnosis, care or treatment of an
657		-	animal through electronic means, including, but not limited to,
658		-	telephone, video, mobile applications or an Internet web site-based
659		-	platform.
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	509	+
	510	+	22-338. In addition to the five-dollar fee, any person who purchases a 415
	511	+	dog as a pet may be charged the cost the municipality incurred, if any, 416
	512	+	to spay or neuter and vaccinate the dog, provided such charge shall not 417
	513	+	exceed one hundred fifty dollars. 418
	514	+	(d) No regional or municipal dog pound facility, municipality, 419
	515	+	[regional or municipal animal control officer] animal control officer or 420
	516	+	regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-421
	517	+	331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as 422
	518	+	applicable, or public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization 423
	519	+	that arranges for the provision of treatment by a licensed veterinarian to 424
	520	+	an injured, sick or diseased animal pursuant to a contract described in 425
	521	+	section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for such actions unless such 426
	522	+	actions are performed in a wanton, reckless or malicious manner. No 427
	523	+	licensed veterinarian who provides treatment free of charge or for a 428
	524	+	reduced fee, to an injured, sick or diseased animal as a direct result of a 429
	525	+	contract described in section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for the 430
	526	+	provision of such treatment unless such actions are performed in a 431
	527	+	wilful, wanton or reckless manner. 432
	528	+	Sec. 8. Section 22-344f of the general statutes is repealed and the 433
	529	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 434
	530	+	(a) Any animal importer and any person who operates or maintains 435
	531	+	an animal shelter, as defined in section 22-344, shall, not later than forty-436
	532	+	eight hours after importing any dog or cat into this state and prior to the 437
	533	+	sale, adoption or transfer of such dog or cat to any person, provide for 438
	534	+	the examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under 439
	535	+	chapter 384. Thereafter, such animal importer or person who operates 440
	536	+	or maintains an animal shelter shall provide for the examination of such 441
	537	+	dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 every ninety 442
	538	+	days until such dog or cat is sold, adopted or transferred, provided no 443
	539	+	such dog or cat shall be sold, adopted or transferred to another person 444
	540	+	by an animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal 445
	541	+	shelter unless (1) such dog or cat was examined by a veterinarian 446
	542	+	licensed under chapter 384 not more than fifteen days prior to the sale, 447 Substitute Bill No. 6504
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	548	+
	549	+	adoption or transfer of such dog or cat, and (2) such veterinarian 448
	550	+	provides such animal importer or person who operates or maintains an 449
	551	+	animal shelter with a written certificate stating that such dog or cat is 450
	552	+	free of any symptoms of any illness, infectious, contagious or 451
	553	+	communicable disease. Such certificate shall list the name, address and 452
	554	+	contact information of such animal importer or person who operates or 453
	555	+	maintains an animal shelter. Any animal importer or person who 454
	556	+	operates or maintains an animal shelter who violates the provisions of 455
	557	+	this subsection shall be fined [not more than five hundred dollars for 456
	558	+	each animal that is the subject of such violation] for a first violation, two 457
	559	+	hundred fifty dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation, 458
	560	+	and for any subsequent violation, five hundred dollars for each animal 459
	561	+	that is the subject of such violation. 460
	562	+	(b) Each animal importer and each person who operates or maintains 461
	563	+	an animal shelter shall maintain a record of the veterinary services 462
	564	+	rendered to each dog or cat imported into this state by such animal 463
	565	+	importer or person. Such record shall be maintained by such animal 464
	566	+	importer or person for a period of three years. Any animal importer or 465
	567	+	such person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined 466
	568	+	[five hundred dollars] two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation and 467
	569	+	five hundred dollars for any subsequent violation. 468
	570	+	Sec. 9. Section 22-345 of the general statutes is repealed and the 469
	571	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 470
	572	+	Any [blind, deaf or mobility impaired] person with a disability who 471
	573	+	is the owner or keeper of a dog [which has been trained and educated 472
	574	+	to guide and assist such person in traveling upon the public streets or 473
	575	+	highways or otherwise] that is a service animal shall receive a license 474
	576	+	and tag for such [dog] service animal from the town clerk of the town 475
	577	+	where such [dog] service animal is owned or kept. Such license and tag 476
	578	+	shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 22-340, and 477
	579	+	no fee shall be required of the owner or keeper of any such [dog] service 478
	580	+	animal. [When any such dog has not been previously licensed by the 479
	581	+	town clerk to whom application is being made, such town clerk shall not 480 Substitute Bill No. 6504
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	588	+	license such dog or issue to the owner a license and tag unless written 481
	589	+	evidence is exhibited to such clerk that the dog is trained and educated 482
	590	+	and intended in fact to perform such guide service for such applicant.] 483
	591	+	Any person who has a dog that is a service animal placed with such 484
	592	+	person temporarily, including for breeding purposes, by a nonprofit 485
	593	+	organization established for the purpose of training or educating [guide 486
	594	+	dogs to so assist blind, deaf or mobility impaired persons] service 487
	595	+	animals shall receive a license and tag for such [dog] service animal from 488
	596	+	the town clerk of the town where such [dog] service animal is kept. Such 489
	597	+	license and tag shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of 490
	598	+	section 22-340, and no fee shall be required for such license and tag, 491
	599	+	provided such person presents written evidence that such [dog] service 492
	600	+	animal was placed with such person by such organization. [As used in 493
	601	+	this section and section 46a-44, "deaf person" means a person who 494
	602	+	cannot readily understand spoken language through hearing alone and 495
	603	+	who may also have a speech defect which renders such person's speech 496
	604	+	unintelligible to most people with normal hearing.] 497
	605	+	Sec. 10. Section 22-364b of the general statutes is repealed and the 498
	606	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 499
	607	+	The owner or keeper of a dog shall restrain and control such dog on 500
	608	+	a leash when such dog is not on the property of its owner or keeper and 501
	609	+	is in proximity to a [blind, deaf or mobility impaired] person with a 502
	610	+	disability who is accompanied by [his guide dog] a service animal, 503
	611	+	provided the [guide dog] service animal is: [in] (1) In the direct custody 504
	612	+	of such [blind, deaf or mobility impaired] person, (2) is wearing a 505
	613	+	harness, vest or [an orange-colored] leash and collar which makes it 506
	614	+	readily-identifiable as a [guide dog] service animal, and (3) is licensed 507
	615	+	in accordance with section 22-345, as amended by this act. Any person 508
	616	+	who violates the provisions of this section shall have committed an 509
	617	+	infraction. If an owner or keeper of a dog violates the provisions of this 510
	618	+	section and, as a result of such violation, such dog attacks and injures 511
	619	+	the [guide dog] service animal, such owner or keeper shall be liable, as 512
	620	+	provided in section 22-357, for any damage done to such [guide dog] 513 Substitute Bill No. 6504
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	626	+
	627	+	service animal, and such liability shall include liability for any costs 514
	628	+	incurred by such [blind, deaf or mobility-impaired] person with a 515
	629	+	disability for the veterinary care, rehabilitation or replacement of the 516
	630	+	injured [guide dog] service animal and for reasonable attorney's fees. 517
	631	+	Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Notwithstanding any provision 518
	632	+	of chapter 435 of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Agriculture 519
	633	+	shall develop a waiver request process and form for the owner, keeper 520
	634	+	or veterinarian for any animal that was attacked and that may have been 521
	635	+	exposed to rabies as a result of such attack to request a reduction of the 522
	636	+	requisite quarantine period for such animal from six months to four 523
	637	+	months if such owner, keeper or veterinarian submits proof with such 524
	638	+	waiver request that such animal was vaccinated for rabies not more than 525
	639	+	ninety-six hours after such attack. Such waiver request process and form 526
	640	+	shall be: (1) Posted on the Internet web site of the Department of 527
	641	+	Agriculture, (2) made publicly available and accessible, and (3) made 528
	642	+	known to veterinarians throughout the state by said department. 529
	643	+	Sec. 12. Subsection (b) of section 22-380g of the general statutes is 530
	644	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 531
	645	+	31, 2021): 532
	646	+	(b) Not more than [ten] twenty per cent of the funds deposited in the 533
	647	+	animal population control account in accordance with subsection (f) of 534
	648	+	section 14-21h, subsection (a) of section 22-338, section 22-380f and 535
	649	+	section 22-380l shall be used for the sterilization and vaccination of feral 536
	650	+	cats program in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this 537
	651	+	section. 538
	652	+	Sec. 13. Subsection (a) of section 22-380i of the general statutes is 539
	653	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 540
	654	+	31, 2021): 541
	655	+	(a) The program established under section 22-380g, as amended by 542
	656	+	this act, shall provide for payment to any participating veterinarian of 543
	657	+	an amount equivalent to the voucher issued pursuant to section 22-380f 544 Substitute Bill No. 6504
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	663	+
	664	+	for each animal sterilization and vaccinations, coincident with 545
	665	+	sterilization, performed by such veterinarian upon a dog or cat owned 546
	666	+	by an eligible owner. For a sterilization procedure, [such voucher shall 547
	667	+	be in the amount of one hundred twenty dollars for a female dog, one 548
	668	+	hundred dollars for a male dog, seventy dollars for a female cat and fifty 549
	669	+	dollars for a male cat] the Commissioner of Agriculture shall establish a 550
	670	+	rate of reimbursement that is not more than seventy-five per cent of the 551
	671	+	market rate or the fee charged by veterinarians in the state as of October 552
	672	+	31, 2021. In the case of a sterilization fee exceeding the amount of the 553
	673	+	voucher, the eligible owner shall pay the participating veterinarian the 554
	674	+	difference between such fee and the amount of the voucher. Such 555
	675	+	voucher shall be in the amount of [twenty] thirty dollars, in addition to 556
	676	+	the amount designated for sterilization, for vaccinations coincident with 557
	677	+	the sterilization of a dog or cat owned by an eligible owner. 558
	678	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	679	+	sections:
	680	+
	681	+	Section 1 from passage 22-327(10)
	682	+	Sec. 2 from passage 22-327
	683	+	Sec. 3 from passage 22-329
	684	+	Sec. 4 from passage 22-329a
	685	+	Sec. 5 from passage 22-331
	686	+	Sec. 6 from passage 22-331a
	687	+	Sec. 7 from passage 22-332
	688	+	Sec. 8 from passage 22-344f
	689	+	Sec. 9 from passage 22-345
	690	+	Sec. 10 from passage 22-364b
	691	+	Sec. 11 from passage New section
	692	+	Sec. 12 October 31, 2021 22-380g(b)
	693	+	Sec. 13 October 31, 2021 22-380i(a)
	694	+
	695	+	ENV Joint Favorable Subst.
660	696