Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90
AN ACT CONCERNING ANIMAL WELFARE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subdivision (10) of section 22-327 of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
passage):
(10) "Poultry" [means all domestic fowl and any pheasants or other
game birds securely confined and lawfully owned and possessed by any
person under the provisions of section 26-40] has the same meaning as
provided in section 22-326s;
Sec. 2. Section 22-327 of the general statutes is amended by adding
subdivision (13) as follows (Effective from passage):
(NEW) (13) "Service animal" has the same meaning as provided in 28
CFR 35.104 and includes any animal in training to become a service
animal.
Sec. 3. Section 22-329 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
[The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal
control officer, any municipal] Any animal control officer or regional Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 2 of 20
animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331, as
amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as applicable,
or any law enforcement officer may interfere to prevent any act of
cruelty upon any dog or other animal, and any person who interferes
with or obstructs or resists [the commissioner or] any such officer in the
discharge of such duty shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
Sec. 4. Section 22-329a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or
any municipal or regional animal control officer] Any animal control
officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section
22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this
act, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal when such
animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe that such animal
is in imminent harm and is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of
section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or
53-252, and, not later than ninety-six hours after taking physical
custody, shall proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section,
except that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State
Veterinarian, at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken,
such animal is so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed]
euthanized immediately, such officer may [humanely destroy or cause
such animal to be humanely destroyed] have such animal humanely
euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(b) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or
any municipal or regional animal control officer] Any animal control
officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section
22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this
act, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal upon
issuance of a warrant finding probable cause that such animal is
neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53- Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 3 of 20
247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 53-252, and shall
thereupon proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section except
that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State Veterinarian,
at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken, such animal
is so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] euthanized
immediately, such officer may [humanely destroy or cause such animal
to be humanely destroyed] have such animal humanely euthanized by
a licensed veterinarian.
(c) Such officer shall file with the superior court which has venue over
such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford
at Hartford a verified petition plainly stating such facts of neglect or
cruel treatment as to bring such animal within the jurisdiction of the
court and praying for appropriate action by the court in accordance with
the provisions of this section. Upon the filing of such petition, the court
shall cause a summons to be issued requiring the owner or owners or
person having responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to
appear in court at the time and place named.
(d) If physical custody of an animal has been taken pursuant to
subsection (a) or (b) of this section and it appears from the allegations of
the petition filed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and other
affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided subsequent
thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the animal's condition
or the circumstances surrounding its care require that temporary care
and custody be immediately assumed to safeguard its welfare, the court
shall either (1) issue an order to show cause why the court should not
vest in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency
or person the animal's temporary care and custody pending a hearing
on the petition, or (2) issue an order vesting in some suitable state,
municipal or other public or private agency or person the animal's
temporary care and custody pending a hearing on the petition. A
hearing on the order issued by the court pursuant to subdivision (1) or Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 4 of 20
(2) of this subsection shall be held not later than fourteen days after the
issuance of such order. The service of such order may be made by any
officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or
indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours
prior to the date and time of such hearing. If the owner or owners or
person having responsibility for the care of the animal is not known,
notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication
in a newspaper having a circulation in the town in which such officer
took physical custody of such animal not less than forty-eight hours
prior to the date and time of such hearing.
(e) If physical custody of an animal has not been taken pursuant to
subsection (a) or (b) of this section, and [the Chief Animal Control
Officer, any animal control officer or any municipal or regional animal
control] such officer has reasonable cause to believe that an animal is
neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-
247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 53-252, such [animal
control] officer may file a petition with the superior court which has
venue over such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district
of Hartford at Hartford, plainly stating such facts of neglect or cruel
treatment as to bring the animal within the jurisdiction of the court and
praying for appropriate action by the court to ensure the welfare of the
animal including, but not limited to, physical removal and temporary
care and custody of the animal, authorization of an animal control
officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section
22-328, 22-331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this
act, as applicable, or a licensed veterinarian to provide care for the
animal on site, vesting of ownership of the animal, the posting of a bond
in accordance with subsection (f) of this section and the assessment of
costs in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. Upon the filing of
such petition, the court shall cause a summons for an order to show
cause to be issued requiring the owner or owners or person having
responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to appear in court at Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 5 of 20
the time and place named. If the owner or owners or person having
responsibility for the care of the animal is not known, notice of the time
and place of the hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper
having a circulation in the town where the animal is located not less than
forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of the hearing. If it appears
from the allegations of the petition filed pursuant to this subsection and
other affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided
subsequent thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the
animal's condition or the circumstances surrounding its care require the
immediate removal of the animal from the owner or owners or person
having responsibility for the care of the animal to safeguard its welfare,
the court shall issue an order vesting in some suitable state, municipal
or other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care
and custody pending a hearing on the petition which hearing shall be
held not later than ten days after the issuance of such order for such
temporary care and custody. The service of such order may be made by
any officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or
indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours
prior to the date and time of such hearing.
(f) If the court issues an order vesting the animal's temporary care
and custody in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private
agency or person, the owner or owners shall either relinquish
ownership of the animal or post a surety bond or cash bond with the
agency or person in whom the animal's temporary care and custody was
vested. The surety bond or cash bond shall be in the amount of five
hundred dollars for each animal placed in the temporary care or custody
of such agency or person and shall secure payment for the reasonable
expenses of the agency or person having temporary care and custody of
the animal in caring and providing for such animal until the court makes
a finding as to the animal's disposition under subsection (g) of this
section. The requirement that a bond be posted may be waived if such
owner provides satisfactory evidence that such owner is indigent and Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 6 of 20
unable to pay for such bond.
(g) (1) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is neglected or
cruelly treated, it shall vest ownership of the animal in any state,
municipal or other public or private agency which is permitted by law
to care for neglected or cruelly treated animals or with any person found
to be suitable or worthy of such responsibility by the court.
(2) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is so injured or
diseased that it should be [destroyed] humanely euthanized, the court
may order that such animal be humanely [destroyed] euthanized by a
licensed veterinarian.
(3) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is not neglected or
cruelly treated, it may cause the animal to be returned to its owner or
owners or person having responsibility for its care or, if such owner or
owners or person is unknown or unwilling to resume caring for such
animal, it may vest ownership of the animal in any state, municipal or
other public or private agency or person found to be suitable or worthy
of such responsibility.
(4) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (1) or (2) of this
subsection less than thirty days after the issuance of an order of
temporary care and custody and the owner of the animal has posted a
bond, the agency or person with whom the bond was posted shall return
the balance of such bond, if any, to the owner. The amount of the bond
to be returned to the owner shall be calculated at the rate of fifteen
dollars per day per animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if
the animal is a horse or other large livestock for the number of days less
than thirty that such agency or person has not had temporary care and
custody of the animal less any veterinary costs and expenses incurred
for the welfare of the animal.
(5) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (3) of this Substitute House Bill No. 6504
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subsection after the issuance of an order of temporary care and custody
and the owner of the animal has posted a bond, the agency or person
with whom the bond was posted shall return such bond to such owner.
(h) If the court finds that the animal is neglected or cruelly treated,
the expenses incurred by the state or a municipality in providing proper
food, shelter and care to an animal it has taken custody of under
subsection (a) or (b) of this section and the expenses incurred by any
state, municipal or other public or private agency or person in providing
temporary care and custody pursuant to an order vesting temporary
care and custody, calculated at the rate of fifteen dollars per day per
animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if the animal is a horse
or other large livestock until the date ownership is vested pursuant to
subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section shall be paid by the
owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the
animal. In addition, all veterinary costs and expenses incurred for the
welfare of the animal that are not covered by the per diem rate shall be
paid by the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the
animal.
(i) If the court vests ownership of the animal in the Commissioner of
Agriculture or a municipality, the commissioner or the municipality
may conduct or participate in a public auction of the animal under such
conditions the commissioner or the municipality deems necessary or the
commissioner or the municipality may consign the animal to an auction
or sell the animal through an open advertised bid process whereby bid
price and demonstration of sufficient knowledge and ability to care for
such animal are factors for the commissioner's or municipality's
consideration. All moneys collected from the sale of animals sold by the
Commissioner of Agriculture through such open advertised bid process
shall be deposited in the animal abuse cost recovery account established
in subsection (j) of this section. All moneys collected from the sale of
animals sold by a municipality through such open advertised bid Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 8 of 20
process shall be deposited by the town treasurer or other fiscal officer in
the town's general fund. The commissioner or the municipality may also
vest ownership of any such animal in an individual or a public or private
nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization.
(j) There is established a separate, nonlapsing account within the
General Fund, to be known as the "animal abuse cost recovery account".
All moneys collected from sales at public auction of animals seized by
the Department of Agriculture pursuant to this section shall be
deposited into the account. Deposits of moneys may be made into the
account from public or private sources, including, but not limited to, the
federal government or municipal governments.
(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any
moneys received by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to
subsection (j) of this section shall be deposited in the General Fund and
credited to the animal abuse cost recovery account. The account shall be
available to the Commissioner of Agriculture for the purpose of the
housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department, until
final disposition of such animal. Additionally, the account may be used
for the purpose of providing reimbursement to any municipality for the
costs of providing temporary care to such animal if such temporary care
exceeded thirty days in duration and such costs exceeded the amount of
any surety bond or cash bond posted pursuant to subsection (f) of this
section provided the total annual reimbursement to municipalities from
said account for such purpose shall not exceed twenty-five thousand
dollars. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from
obtaining or using funds from sources other than the account for the
housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department
pursuant to this section.
Sec. 5. Section 22-331 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 9 of 20
(a) In each municipality of the state having a population of more than
twenty-five thousand which has adopted the provisions of chapter 113,
or otherwise provided for a merit system for its employees, the chief of
police, or such other appointing authority as the charter may designate,
shall, appoint a full-time municipal animal control officer and such
assistants as are deemed necessary, subject to the provisions of said
chapter 113 or other merit system, to administer and enforce the laws
relating to dogs or other domestic animals. Any person so appointed
may be or become a member of the police department and for such
purpose the legislative body of such municipality may waive any
requirements as to age, sex, physical condition, education and training
applicable to other members of the police department. Any person so
appointed as a member of the police department shall be fully eligible
to participate in the retirement system of such department.
(b) Except as provided in section 22-331a, as amended by this act, the
chief or superintendent of police in each other city or town having a
police department and the selectmen or chief executive officer in each
town which has no police department, or such other appointing
authority as the charter of such town may designate, in their respective
jurisdictions, shall appoint a municipal animal control officer and such
assistants as are deemed necessary to administer and enforce the laws
relating to dogs and other domestic animals. Such officer and assistants
shall have such qualifications as the commissioner may prescribe and
shall serve for a term of at least one year.
(c) Each appointment made under the provisions of this section shall
be reported promptly to the commissioner. Each person appointed
under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall, and any
person appointed under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section
may, be paid a salary and expenses in lieu of the fees provided in section
22-334 and the amount thereof shall be transferred from the dog fund
account to the appropriation of the proper department. Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 10 of 20
(d) The municipal animal control officer so appointed in any [city]
municipality the limits of which are not coterminous with those of the
[town] municipality in which it is located shall have authority as such
municipal animal control officer throughout such town, and the town
treasurer or other fiscal officer shall annually reimburse the [city]
municipality, from the dog fund account, for the salaries and expenses
of such officer or his or her assistants. The municipal animal control
officer so appointed in any town having a borough within its limits shall
have authority as such municipal animal control officer throughout the
limits of such town. If, in any [city or town] municipality, the officer or
officers charged with such duty fail to report such appointment, the
commissioner shall notify such officer or officers to make and report
such appointment within ten days of receipt of such notification, and, if
such appointment is not made within such time, the commissioner shall
appoint a municipal animal control officer for such [city or town]
municipality.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any
special act, municipal charter or ordinance, any chief elected official of
any municipality or a regional animal control facility may appoint, on a
temporary basis not to exceed ninety days, any animal control officer or
regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to this section or
section 22-331a, as amended by this act, as applicable, to act as an animal
control officer in such municipality or region. Any animal control officer
or regional animal control officer who provides services pursuant to an
appointment made in accordance with this subsection shall have all the
powers and authority granted to such animal control officer in the
municipality or region in which such officer is appointed. Any such
appointment made pursuant to this subsection shall be made in writing
and be approved by each of the chief elected officials of the
municipalities affected by such appointment and by each regional
animal control facility that is affected by such appointment. Such
written appointment shall include, at a minimum, information Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 11 of 20
concerning the compensation to be paid to such officer, insurance
provided to such officer and the use of equipment, if any, for such
officer. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall be notified, in writing, of
any such appointment made pursuant to this subsection not later than
five days following such appointment.
Sec. 6. Section 22-331a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
Any two or more towns each of which has a population of less than
fifty thousand, and which have or will provide a dog pound facility
within their region, by action of their [legislative bodies] board of
selectmen, town council or other governing body, may agree to be
served by a regional animal control officer. Upon certification of such
agreement to the commissioner with assurances from the towns so
certifying that they will provide and continue to provide adequate
facilities and compensation for such officer, the commissioner may, after
giving due regard to the regional aspects of the proposed facilities and
whether the proposed region would be in the best interests of the towns
so certifying, establish such region. Each person so appointed shall have
the same powers and duties within the region to which he is assigned
as a municipal animal control officer in each town therein. All costs of
maintaining and operating such pounds and administering and
enforcing the laws relating to dogs within such regions shall be paid in
accordance with the provisions of the agreement certified to the
commissioner under this section. Any pound facility operated pursuant
to this section shall meet the construction, maintenance and sanitation
standards established pursuant to section 22-336 and any regulations
adopted pursuant to said section, including, but not limited to,
standards for the handling and transportation of dogs and other
domestic animals.
Sec. 7. Section 22-332 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 12 of 20
(a) [The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or
any municipal animal control officer] Any animal control officer or
regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-
331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as
applicable, shall be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and
shall make diligent search and inquiry for any violation of any of its
provisions. Any such officer may take into custody (1) any dog found
roaming in violation of the provisions of section 22-364, (2) any dog not
having a tag or plate on a collar about its neck or on a harness on its
body as provided by law or which is not confined or controlled in
accordance with the provisions of any order or regulation relating to
rabies issued by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter, or (3) any dog or other domestic animal found injured on
any highway, neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated. The officer shall
impound such dog or other domestic animal at the pound serving the
town where the dog or other domestic animal is taken unless, in the
opinion of a licensed veterinarian, the dog or other domestic animal is
so injured or diseased that it should be [destroyed] euthanized
immediately, in which case the municipal animal control officer of such
town may [cause the dog or other domestic animal to be mercifully
killed] have such dog or other animal humanely euthanized by a
licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct.
The [municipal animal control] officer shall immediately notify the
owner or keeper of any dog or other [domestic] animal so taken, if
known, of its impoundment. [Such officer shall immediately notify the
owner or keeper of any other domestic animal which is taken into
custody, if such owner or keeper is known.] If the owner or keeper of
any such dog or other domestic animal is unknown, the officer shall
immediately tag or employ [such] other suitable means of official
identification of the dog or other domestic animal [as may be approved
by the Chief Animal Control Officer] and shall promptly cause (A) a
description of such dog or other domestic animal to be published once
in the lost and found column of a newspaper having a circulation in such Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 13 of 20
town or that has a state-wide circulation, and (B) a photograph or
description of such dog or other domestic animal and the date on which
such dog or other domestic animal is no longer legally required to be
impounded to be posted on a national pet adoption Internet web site or
an Internet web site that is maintained or accessed by the animal control
officer and that is accessible to the public through an Internet search,
except such posting shall not be required if: (i) The dog or other
domestic animal is held pending the resolution of civil or criminal
litigation involving such dog or other domestic animal, (ii) the officer
has a good faith belief that the dog or other domestic animal would be
adopted by or transferred to a public or private nonprofit rescue
organization for the purpose of placing such dog or other domestic
animal in an adoptive home even in the absence of such posting, (iii) the
dog or other domestic animal's safety will be placed at risk, or (iv) such
animal control officer determines that such dog or other domestic
animal is feral and not adoptable. If any animal control officer does not
have the technological resources to post such information on an Internet
web site as required by subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, such
officer may contact a public or private animal rescue organization and
request that such organization post such information, at such
organization's expense, on an Internet web site that is accessible to the
public through an Internet search. To the extent practicable, any such
posting by an animal control officer or a public or private animal rescue
organization shall remain posted for the duration of such dog's or other
domestic animal's impoundment in the municipal or regional dog
pound.
(b) If such dog or other domestic animal is not claimed by and
released to the owner within seven days after the date of publication,
[the municipal animal control] such officer, upon finding such dog or
other domestic animal to be in satisfactory health, may have a licensed
veterinarian spay or neuter such dog and sell such dog or other
domestic animal to any person who satisfies such officer that such Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 14 of 20
person is purchasing such dog or other domestic animal as a pet and
that such person can give it a good home and proper care. [The
municipal animal control] Such officer may retain possession of such
dog or other domestic animal for such additional period of time as such
[animal control] officer may deem advisable in order to place such dog
or other domestic animal as a pet and may have a licensed veterinarian
spay or neuter such dog. If, within such period, any dog or other
domestic animal is not claimed by and released to the owner or keeper
or purchased as a pet, the officer shall cause such dog or other domestic
animal to be [mercifully killed] humanely euthanized by a licensed
veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. Any
veterinarian who so [destroys] euthanizes a dog shall be paid from the
dog fund account. No person who [so destroys] euthanizes a dog or
other domestic animal shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor
nor shall any licensed veterinarian who spays or neuters a dog pursuant
to this section be held civilly liable. [, including, but not limited to,
liability for reconstructive neutical implantation surgery.]
(c) The town treasurer or other fiscal officer shall pay from the dog
fund account the advertising expense incurred under the provisions of
this section upon receipt of an itemized statement together with a copy
of the advertisement as published. Any person who purchases a dog as
a pet shall pay a fee of five dollars and procure a license and tag for such
dog from the town clerk, in accordance with the provisions of section
22-338. In addition to the five-dollar fee, any person who purchases a
dog as a pet may be charged the cost the municipality incurred, if any,
to spay or neuter and vaccinate the dog, provided such charge shall not
exceed one hundred fifty dollars.
(d) No regional or municipal dog pound facility, municipality,
[regional or municipal animal control officer] animal control officer or
regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-
331, as amended by this act, or 22-331a, as amended by this act, as Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 15 of 20
applicable, or public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization
that arranges for the provision of treatment by a licensed veterinarian to
an injured, sick or diseased animal pursuant to a contract described in
section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for such actions unless such
actions are performed in a wanton, reckless or malicious manner. No
licensed veterinarian who provides treatment free of charge or for a
reduced fee, to an injured, sick or diseased animal as a direct result of a
contract described in section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for the
provision of such treatment unless such actions are performed in a
wilful, wanton or reckless manner.
Sec. 8. Section 22-344f of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Any animal importer and any person who operates or maintains
an animal shelter, as defined in section 22-344, shall, not later than forty-
eight hours after importing any dog or cat into this state and prior to the
sale, adoption or transfer of such dog or cat to any person, provide for
the examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under
chapter 384. Thereafter, such animal importer or person who operates
or maintains an animal shelter shall provide for the examination of such
dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 every ninety
days until such dog or cat is sold, adopted or transferred, provided no
such dog or cat shall be sold, adopted or transferred to another person
by an animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal
shelter unless (1) such dog or cat was examined by a veterinarian
licensed under chapter 384 not more than fifteen days prior to the sale,
adoption or transfer of such dog or cat, and (2) such veterinarian
provides such animal importer or person who operates or maintains an
animal shelter with a written certificate stating that such dog or cat is
free of any symptoms of any illness, infectious, contagious or
communicable disease. Such certificate shall list the name, address and
contact information of such animal importer or person who operates or Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 16 of 20
maintains an animal shelter. Any animal importer or person who
operates or maintains an animal shelter who violates the provisions of
this subsection shall be fined [not more than five hundred dollars for
each animal that is the subject of such violation] for a first violation, two
hundred fifty dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation,
and for any subsequent violation, five hundred dollars for each animal
that is the subject of such violation.
(b) Each animal importer and each person who operates or maintains
an animal shelter shall maintain a record of the veterinary services
rendered to each dog or cat imported into this state by such animal
importer or person. Such record shall be maintained by such animal
importer or person for a period of three years. Any animal importer or
such person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined
[five hundred dollars] two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation and
five hundred dollars for any subsequent violation.
Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective from passage) Notwithstanding any provision
of chapter 435 of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Agriculture
shall develop a waiver request process and form for the owner, keeper
or veterinarian for any animal that was attacked and that may have been
exposed to rabies as a result of such attack to request a reduction of the
requisite quarantine period for such animal from six months to four
months if such owner, keeper or veterinarian submits proof with such
waiver request that such animal was vaccinated for rabies not more than
ninety-six hours after such attack. Such waiver request process and form
shall be: (1) Posted on the Internet web site of the Department of
Agriculture, (2) made publicly available and accessible, and (3) made
known to veterinarians throughout the state by said department.
Sec. 10. Subsection (b) of section 22-380g of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
31, 2021): Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 17 of 20
(b) Not more than [ten] twenty per cent of the funds deposited in the
animal population control account in accordance with subsection (f) of
section 14-21h, subsection (a) of section 22-338, section 22-380f and
section 22-380l shall be used for the sterilization and vaccination of feral
cats program in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of this
section.
Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 22-380i of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October
31, 2021):
(a) The program established under section 22-380g, as amended by
this act, shall provide for payment to any participating veterinarian of
an amount equivalent to the voucher issued pursuant to section 22-380f
for each animal sterilization and vaccinations, coincident with
sterilization, performed by such veterinarian upon a dog or cat owned
by an eligible owner. For a sterilization procedure, [such voucher shall
be in the amount of one hundred twenty dollars for a female dog, one
hundred dollars for a male dog, seventy dollars for a female cat and fifty
dollars for a male cat] the Commissioner of Agriculture shall establish a
rate of reimbursement that is not more than seventy-five per cent of the
market rate or the fee charged by veterinarians in the state as of October
31, 2021. In the case of a sterilization fee exceeding the amount of the
voucher, the eligible owner shall pay the participating veterinarian the
difference between such fee and the amount of the voucher. Such
voucher shall be in the amount of [twenty] thirty dollars, in addition to
the amount designated for sterilization, for vaccinations coincident with
the sterilization of a dog or cat owned by an eligible owner.
Sec. 12. Section 20-197 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2021):
(a) No person shall practice veterinary medicine, surgery or dentistry
until [he] such person has obtained a license as provided in section 20- Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 18 of 20
199. A person shall be construed to practice veterinary medicine,
surgery or dentistry, within the meaning of this chapter, who holds
himself or herself out as being able to diagnose, administer biologics for,
treat, operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury,
deformity or physical condition, or who either offers or undertakes, by
any means or methods, to diagnose, administer biologics for, treat,
operate or prescribe for any animal or bird disease, pain, injury,
deformity or physical condition. The euthanizing of animals in
accordance with applicable state and federal drug laws by the
Connecticut Humane Society, the floating of teeth in horses by persons
experienced in that practice and the performance of myofascial trigger
point therapy by persons experienced in that practice shall not be
deemed to be the practice of veterinary medicine. For the purposes of
this section, "floating teeth" means using hand-held rasps to reduce or
eliminate sharp or uneven edges on a horse's upper and lower molars
to avoid injury to the tongue and cheeks and to improve chewing food,
but does not include treating decay or tumors or extracting teeth. For
the purposes of this section, "myofascial trigger point therapy" means
the use of specific palpation, compression, stretching and corrective
exercise for promoting optimum athleticism, and "persons experienced
in that practice" means persons who, prior to October 1, 2003, have
attended a minimum of two hundred hours of classroom, lecture and
hands-on practice in myofascial trigger point therapy, including animal
musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics, theory and application of
animal myofascial trigger point techniques, factors that habituate a
presenting condition and corrective exercise.
(b) No veterinarian licensed under this chapter may practice
veterinary medicine on an animal without first establishing a
veterinarian-client-patient relationship with the animal and the owner
of the animal or person responsible for the care of the animal, except
that a veterinarian licensed under this chapter may provide, in good
faith, emergency or urgent care to an animal when no veterinarian- Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 19 of 20
client-patient relationship has been established if the owner of the
animal or person responsible for the care of such animal cannot be
identified. A veterinarian shall be deemed to have established a
veterinarian-client-patient relationship if the following conditions have
been met:
(1) The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility of making
medical judgments regarding the health of the animal and the need for
the provision of medical care or treatment to the animal and has
instructed the owner of the animal or person responsible for the care of
the animal on the appropriate course of medical care or treatment of the
animal;
(2) The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the animal to make
at least a preliminary or general diagnosis of the animal;
(3) The owner of the animal or person responsible for the care of the
animal has agreed to follow the veterinarian's recommendations
regarding medical care or treatment of the animal;
(4) The veterinarian is available for a follow-up evaluation of the
animal or has arranged for (A) emergency or urgent care coverage for
the animal, or (B) continuing medical care or treatment of the animal, as
designated by the veterinarian, by another licensed veterinarian who (i)
has access to the animal's medical records, or (ii) can provide reasonable
and appropriate medical care or treatment to the animal;
(5) The veterinarian oversees the medical care or treatment of the
animal; and
(6) The veterinarian (A) has performed a physical examination of the
animal, or (B) is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the
animal by virtue of providing timely and appropriate medical care or
treatment to another animal at the same location where the animal is
kept. Substitute House Bill No. 6504
Public Act No. 21-90 20 of 20
(c) A veterinarian-client-patient relationship may not be established
solely through veterinary telemedicine. After a veterinarian-client-
patient relationship has been established, such relationship may be
maintained through veterinary telemedicine in between medically
necessary examinations of the animal by the veterinarian or timely
medical visits by the veterinarian to the location where the animal is
kept. If there is no veterinarian-client-patient relationship, a veterinarian
may only provide general advice using electronic means and shall not
provide any specific advice regarding the animal, including, but not
limited to, any diagnosis or recommended medical care or treatment of
the animal. As used in this subsection, "veterinary telemedicine" means
the exchange of medical information regarding the status of an animal's
health or the delivery of a medical diagnosis, care or treatment of an
animal through electronic means, including, but not limited to,
telephone, video, mobile applications or an Internet web site-based
platform.