Connecticut 2023 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01069 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/16/2023

                       
 
LCO No. 4213  	1 of 30 
 
General Assembly  Raised Bill No. 1069  
January Session, 2023 
LCO No. 4213 
 
 
Referred to Committee on ENVIRONMENT  
 
 
Introduced by:  
(ENV)  
 
 
 
 
AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO CERTAIN DOMESTIC ANIMAL 
RELATED STATUTES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General 
Assembly convened: 
 
Section 1. Section 22-327 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 2 
As used in this chapter: 3 
(1) "Animal" means any [brute creature] domestic animal that 4 
humans selectively breed in captivity and that live in close association 5 
with humans, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, [monkeys,] 6 
guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, [ birds and reptiles] livestock, as defined 7 
in section 22-381, poultry, as defined in section 22-324, and pet birds, 8 
amphibians, fish or reptiles offered for sale by a pet shop and that is 9 
certified as having been bred in captivity;  10 
(2) "Chief Animal Control Officer", "Assistant Chief Animal Control 11 
Officer" and "animal control officer" mean, respectively, the Chief State 12 
Animal Control Officer, the Assistant Chief State Animal Control 13 
Officer and a state animal control officer appointed under section 22-14  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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328; 15 
(3) "Commercial kennel" means a place maintained for boarding or 16 
grooming dogs or cats, and includes, but is not limited to, any veterinary 17 
hospital which boards or grooms dogs or cats for nonmedical purposes; 18 
(4) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Agriculture; 19 
(5) "Grooming facility" means any place, [other than a commercial 20 
kennel, which] including any vehicle or trailer, that is maintained as a 21 
business where dogs are groomed; 22 
(6) "Keeper" means any person, other than the owner, harboring or 23 
having in his possession any dog; 24 
[(7) "Kennel" means one pack or collection of dogs which are kept 25 
under one ownership at a single location and are bred for show, sport 26 
or sale;] 27 
[(8)] (7) "Municipal animal control officer" means any such officer 28 
appointed under the provisions of section 22-331; 29 
[(9)] (8) "Pet shop" means any place at which animals not born and 30 
raised on the premises are kept for the purpose of sale to the public; 31 
[(10)] (9) "Poultry" has the same meaning as provided in section 22-32 
326s; 33 
[(11)] (10) "Regional animal control officer" and "assistant regional 34 
animal control officer" means a regional [Connecticut] animal control 35 
officer and an assistant regional [Connecticut] animal control officer 36 
appointed under the provisions of section 22-331a; 37 
[(12)] (11) "Training facility" means any place [, other than a 38 
commercial kennel or grooming facility, which] that is maintained as a 39 
business where dogs are trained; 40 
[(13)] (12) "Service animal" has the same meaning as provided in 28 41 
CFR 35.104 and includes any animal in training to become a service 42  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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animal. 43 
Sec. 2. Subsections (e) to (h), inclusive, of section 22-329a of the 44 
general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 45 
thereof (Effective from passage): 46 
(e) If physical custody of an animal has not been taken pursuant to 47 
subsection (a) or (b) of this section, and such officer has reasonable cause 48 
to believe that an animal is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of 49 
section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251 or 50 
53-252, such officer may file a petition with the superior court which has 51 
venue over such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district 52 
of Hartford at Hartford, plainly stating such facts of neglect or cruel 53 
treatment as to bring the animal within the jurisdiction of the court and 54 
praying for appropriate action by the court to ensure the welfare of the 55 
animal, including, but not limited to, physical removal and temporary 56 
care and custody of the animal, an order to compel the owner of any 57 
such animal to provide care in a manner that the court determines is 58 
necessary, authorization of an animal control officer or regional animal 59 
control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, 60 
as applicable, or a licensed veterinarian to provide care for the animal 61 
on site, vesting of ownership of the animal, the posting of a bond in 62 
accordance with subsection (f) of this section and the assessment of costs 63 
in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. Upon the filing of such 64 
petition, the court shall cause a summons for an order to show cause to 65 
be issued requiring the owner or owners or person having responsibility 66 
for the care of the animal, if known, to appear in court at the time and 67 
place named. If the owner or owners or person having responsibility for 68 
the care of the animal is not known, notice of the time and place of the 69 
hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper having a 70 
circulation in the town where the animal is located not less than forty-71 
eight hours prior to the date and time of the hearing. If it appears from 72 
the allegations of the petition filed pursuant to this subsection and other 73 
affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided subsequent 74 
thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the animal's condition 75 
or the circumstances surrounding its care require the immediate 76  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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removal of the animal from the owner or owners or person having 77 
responsibility for the care of the animal to safeguard its welfare, the 78 
court shall issue an order vesting in some suitable state, municipal or 79 
other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care 80 
and custody pending a hearing on the petition which hearing shall be 81 
held not later than ten days after the issuance of such order for such 82 
temporary care and custody. The service of such order may be made by 83 
any officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or 84 
indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours 85 
prior to the date and time of such hearing. 86 
(f) If the court issues an order vesting the animal's temporary care 87 
and custody in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private 88 
agency or person, the owner or owners shall either relinquish 89 
ownership of the animal or post a [surety bond or] cash bond with the 90 
agency or person in whom the animal's temporary care and custody was 91 
vested or with such agency's counsel of record in the case. The [surety 92 
bond or] cash bond shall be in the amount of [five hundred] one 93 
thousand dollars for each animal placed in the temporary care or 94 
custody of such agency or person and shall secure payment for the 95 
reasonable expenses of the agency or person having temporary care and 96 
custody of the animal in caring and providing for such animal until the 97 
court makes a finding as to the animal's disposition under subsection (g) 98 
of this section. The requirement that a bond be posted may be waived if 99 
such owner provides satisfactory evidence that such owner is indigent 100 
and unable to pay for such bond. 101 
(g) (1) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is neglected or 102 
cruelly treated, it shall vest ownership of the animal in any state, 103 
municipal or other public or private agency which is permitted by law 104 
to care for neglected or cruelly treated animals or with any person found 105 
to be suitable or worthy of such responsibility by the court. 106 
(2) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is so injured or 107 
diseased that it should be humanely euthanized, the court may order 108 
that such animal be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian. 109  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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(3) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is not neglected or 110 
cruelly treated, it may cause the animal to be returned to its owner or 111 
owners or person having responsibility for its care or, if such owner or 112 
owners or person is unknown or unwilling to resume caring for such 113 
animal, it may vest ownership of the animal in any state, municipal or 114 
other public or private agency or person found to be suitable or worthy 115 
of such responsibility. 116 
(4) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (1) or (2) of this 117 
subsection less than thirty days after the issuance of an order of 118 
temporary care and custody and the owner of the animal has posted a 119 
bond, the agency or person with whom the bond was posted shall return 120 
the balance of such bond, if any, to the owner. The amount of the bond 121 
to be returned to the owner shall be calculated at the rate of fifteen 122 
dollars per day per animal or twenty-five dollars per day per animal if 123 
the animal is a horse or other large livestock for the number of days less 124 
than thirty that such agency or person has not had temporary care and 125 
custody of the animal less any veterinary costs and expenses incurred 126 
for the welfare of the animal. 127 
(5) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (3) of this 128 
subsection after the issuance of an order of temporary care and custody 129 
and the owner of the animal has posted a bond, the agency or person 130 
with whom the bond was posted shall return such bond to such owner. 131 
(h) If the court finds that the animal is neglected or cruelly treated, 132 
the expenses incurred by the state or a municipality in providing proper 133 
food, shelter and care to an animal it has taken custody of under 134 
subsection (a) or (b) of this section and the expenses incurred by any 135 
state, municipal or other public or private agency or person in providing 136 
temporary care and custody pursuant to an order vesting temporary 137 
care and custody, calculated at the rate of [fifteen] twenty dollars per 138 
day per animal or [twenty-five] thirty dollars per day per animal if the 139 
animal is a horse or other large livestock until the date ownership is 140 
vested pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section shall 141 
be paid by the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the 142  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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care of the animal. In addition, all veterinary costs and expenses 143 
incurred for the welfare of the animal [that are not covered by the per 144 
diem rate] shall be paid by the owner or owners or person having 145 
responsibility for the animal. 146 
Sec. 3. Section 22-334 of the general statutes is repealed and the 147 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 148 
On or before the tenth day of each month, each municipal animal 149 
control officer shall [present to the chief administrative officer of the 150 
town a sworn statement of the services rendered by the municipal 151 
animal control officer in the performance of official duties during the 152 
previous month] report their services rendered in the performance of 153 
their official duties for the previous month to the Commissioner of 154 
Agriculture and the chief administrative officer for the town or region 155 
in which such services were rendered. The commissioner shall prescribe 156 
and provide the forms for such statements. [and a copy of each such 157 
statement shall be forwarded to the commissioner by th+e chief 158 
administrative officer promptly upon receipt. Upon presentation of 159 
such statement, each municipal animal control officer, other than an 160 
officer employed on a salary basis, shall be paid by such city or town 161 
from the dog fund account (1) five dollars for each dog returned to its 162 
owner or sold as a pet and four dollars for each dog captured, 163 
impounded and killed, or otherwise disposed of as provided in this 164 
chapter, (2) such expenses as the appointing authority may approve and 165 
(3) such other remuneration as the officers having jurisdiction thereof 166 
direct. Each municipal animal control officer employed on a salary basis 167 
shall be paid, in addition to a regular salary, a bonus of one dollar for 168 
each dog returned to its owner or sold as a pet. Each municipal animal 169 
control officer shall pay to the town treasurer or other fiscal officer for 170 
deposit in the dog fund account all moneys received by the officer in the 171 
performance of official duties. Each regional animal control officer shall 172 
pay to the commissioner for deposit with the State Treasurer all such 173 
moneys received by the officer. Such moneys shall be deposited in the 174 
dog fund account and credited to the town from which it was collected 175 
for purposes of payment of the amount due under subsection (b) of 176  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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section 22-331a.] 177 
Sec. 4. Section 22-342 of the general statutes is repealed and the 178 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 179 
(a) Any owner or keeper of a [kennel] facility who breeds more than 180 
two litters of dogs annually shall apply to the town clerk in the town in 181 
which such [kennel] facility is located for a breeding kennel license. Any 182 
owner or keeper of a [kennel] facility who breeds not more than two 183 
litters of dogs annually may apply to the town clerk of the town in which 184 
such [kennel] facility is located for a breeding kennel license. For the 185 
purposes of this section, annually shall refer to the breeding kennel 186 
license year which begins July first. Such town clerk shall issue to such 187 
applicant a breeding kennel license on a form prescribed by the 188 
commissioner for a period from the date of such application until the 189 
thirtieth day of the ensuing June. The license shall specify the name and 190 
number of the breeding kennel, the name of the owner and the name of 191 
the keeper and shall be in lieu of any other license required for any dog 192 
of either sex which may be kept in such breeding kennel during the 193 
period for which the license is issued. Each license may be renewed from 194 
year to year by the town clerk upon application of such owner or keeper. 195 
Each such owner or keeper shall cause to be kept, upon each dog in such 196 
breeding kennel, while it is at large, a collar or harness of leather or other 197 
suitable material, to which collar or harness shall be securely attached a 198 
tag or plate upon which shall appear the number of the breeding kennel 199 
license, the name of the town issuing the license and the year of license. 200 
Such plates or tags shall be furnished by the town clerk of the town in 201 
which such breeding kennel is licensed, at a cost of ten cents each, in 202 
such numbers, not fewer than the number of dogs kept in such breeding 203 
kennel, and at such time as the licensee may request. The fee for each 204 
breeding kennel license, when no more than ten dogs are kept in the 205 
breeding kennel, shall be fifty dollars, and for a license for a breeding 206 
kennel containing more than ten dogs, the fee shall be one hundred 207 
dollars, except that in the case of a breeding kennel started after the first 208 
day of July, the license fee for the remainder of the year shall be a 209 
proportional part of the fee charged for one year. If the owner or keeper 210  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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of any established [kennel] facility fails to obtain the breeding kennel 211 
license, as required by this section, on or before June thirtieth, [he] such 212 
owner or keeper shall pay one dollar for each dog kept therein, in 213 
addition to the regular breeding kennel license fee. 214 
(b) [The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer or any state 215 
animal control officer may at any time inspect any kennel including all 216 
facilities of any kennel in which dogs are bred or housed or cause it to 217 
be inspected by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian appointed by the 218 
commissioner. If, in the judgment of the commissioner, such kennel is 219 
not being maintained in good repair and in a sanitary and humane 220 
manner or if the commissioner finds that communicable or infectious 221 
disease or other unsatisfactory conditions exist in the kennel, he may 222 
issue such orders as he deems necessary for the correction of such 223 
conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner 224 
or keeper of such kennel fails to comply with such orders, the 225 
commissioner shall revoke or suspend the kennel license of such owner 226 
or keeper.] Any facility used as a breeding kennel may be inspected by 227 
any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-228 
331a with jurisdiction in the municipality in which the breeding kennel 229 
is located and upon receipt of any complaint concerning such facility. 230 
Such inspection may include review of the sanitary conditions in which 231 
the dogs are kept, compliance with any dog's access to proper and 232 
wholesome food, water, exercise and veterinary care when necessary, 233 
including rabies vaccinations and records of veterinary care and the 234 
transfer of dogs or puppies to new owners. Any crate or other 235 
enclosures in which dogs are kept for more than four hours shall be 236 
clean and in good repair such that they do not pose a hazard to the dogs 237 
and shall be of sufficient size as to allow the dogs to stand, sit, lie down, 238 
turn around and make normal postural movements. If any such animal 239 
control officer finds conditions exist in the breeding kennel that may 240 
adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of the dogs, such officer 241 
may issue such orders as are necessary for the correction of such 242 
conditions. If such animal control officer suspects a communicable or 243 
infectious disease is present, such officer may order the licensee to 244  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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consult a licensed veterinarian in this state at such licensee's own 245 
expense to address the suspected health condition. The licensee shall be 246 
required to implement any recommendations and orders of the animal 247 
control officer and any recommendations of the attending veterinarian. 248 
The municipality may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue any license 249 
under this section for cause.  250 
(c) Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the provisions 251 
of this section may appeal to the [Superior Court in accordance with the 252 
provisions of section 4-183] superior court of the judicial district in 253 
which such municipality is located, provided such appeal is made not 254 
later than fifteen days after the date of the order. 255 
(d) Any person maintaining a breeding kennel after such license has 256 
been revoked or suspended as herein provided shall be guilty of a class 257 
[B] D misdemeanor. 258 
(e) Any owner or keeper of a breeding kennel who breeds more than 259 
two litters of dogs annually and (1) fails to apply for a breeding kennel 260 
license as required in subsection (a) of this section, [or] (2) fails to allow 261 
an inspection of such facility as required in subsection (b) of this section, 262 
or (3) fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to subsection (b) of 263 
this section, shall for a first offense have committed an infraction and for 264 
a second or subsequent offense be guilty of a class [B] D misdemeanor. 265 
(f) Any person found guilty of violating section 53-247 shall not be 266 
eligible to hold a license issued pursuant to this section. Any business 267 
entity with any person with a controlling interest who is found guilty of 268 
violating section 53-247 shall not be eligible to hold a license issued 269 
pursuant to this section. 270 
Sec. 5. Section 22-344 of the general statutes is repealed and the 271 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 272 
(a) (1) No person shall maintain a commercial kennel until [he] such 273 
person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such 274 
kennel under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to 275  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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sanitation, disease and humane treatment of dogs or cats and the 276 
protection of the public safety. Upon written application and the 277 
payment of a fee of four hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue 278 
such license to be effective until the second December thirty-first 279 
following issuance provided the commissioner finds (A) that such 280 
regulations have been complied with, and (B) in the case of each initial 281 
application for such license, that the zoning enforcement official of the 282 
municipality wherein such kennel is to be maintained has certified that 283 
the kennel conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license 284 
shall be renewed biennially, not later than December thirty-first, in 285 
accordance with the provisions of this section, and may be transferred 286 
by the licensee to another premises upon approval of the commissioner. 287 
(2) Any person who maintains a commercial kennel and who 288 
advertises the services of such commercial kennel shall cause the license 289 
number for such commercial kennel, as issued pursuant to this section, 290 
to clearly appear in such advertisement. The commissioner may adopt 291 
regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to prescribe the 292 
requirements for the appearance of the license number of a commercial 293 
kennel in any form of advertisement. Such regulation may include, but 294 
need not be limited to, the size, font and location of such license number 295 
for any given form of advertisement. 296 
(3) For purposes of this subsection, no person who boards three or 297 
fewer cats or dogs in his or her residence shall be required to obtain a 298 
commercial kennel license pursuant to this subsection. 299 
(b) No person shall maintain a pet shop until [he] such person has 300 
obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such pet shop 301 
under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, 302 
disease and humane treatment of animals and the protection of the 303 
public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of four 304 
hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be 305 
effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance 306 
provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been 307 
complied with, and (2) in the case of each initial application for such 308  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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license, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein 309 
such pet shop is to be maintained has certified that the pet shop 310 
conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Application for renewal 311 
of such license shall be made biennially by not later than the second 312 
December thirty-first following issuance. Such pet shop license may be 313 
transferred by the licensee to another premises upon the approval of the 314 
commissioner. The commissioner, after consultation with the 315 
Commissioners of Public Health and Energy and Environmental 316 
Protection, shall establish and maintain, pursuant to regulations 317 
adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a list of animals which are 318 
deemed to be injurious to the health and safety of the public or whose 319 
maintenance in captivity is detrimental to the health and safety of the 320 
animal. The sale or offer of sale of any animal which is on said list is 321 
prohibited and any person who violates this provision shall be fined not 322 
more than five hundred dollars. 323 
(c) No person shall engage in the business of grooming or 324 
maintaining a grooming facility until such person has obtained from the 325 
commissioner a license to maintain such facility under such regulations 326 
as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane 327 
treatment of such animals and the protection of the public safety. Upon 328 
written application and the payment of a fee of two hundred dollars, the 329 
commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the second 330 
December thirty-first following issuance provided the commissioner 331 
finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with, and (2) in the 332 
case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning 333 
enforcement official of the municipality wherein such grooming is to be 334 
maintained has certified that the facility conforms to the municipal 335 
zoning regulations. Such license shall be renewed biennially, not later 336 
than the second December thirty-first following issuance, in accordance 337 
with the provisions of this section, and may be transferred by the 338 
licensee to other premises upon approval of the commissioner. 339 
(d) No person shall maintain a training facility until such person has 340 
obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such facility 341 
under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, 342  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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disease and humane treatment of such animals and the protection of 343 
public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of two 344 
hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be 345 
effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance 346 
provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been 347 
complied with, and (2) in the case of each initial application for such 348 
license, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein 349 
such training facility is to be maintained has certified that the facility 350 
conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license shall be 351 
renewed biennially not later than the second December thirty-first 352 
following issuance upon the terms required for the original license and 353 
may be transferred by the licensee to another premises upon approval 354 
of the commissioner. 355 
(e) (1) No animal importer shall import any dog or cat into this state 356 
until such person registers as an animal importer with the 357 
commissioner. Such registration shall be on a form as prescribed by the 358 
commissioner. Such registration shall require the submission of the 359 
following information: (A) The name, mailing address, business 360 
address, telephone number and Internet address of such registrant, (B) 361 
if such registrant is domiciled out-of-state, the name, Connecticut 362 
address and phone number of a Connecticut-based agent for service of 363 
process, and (C) the number of animals brought into the state during the 364 
prior year by such animal importer and the state or country of origin for 365 
each such animal. Such registration shall be accompanied by payment 366 
of a fee of two hundred dollars and shall be valid until the second 367 
December thirty-first following such registration. Such registration shall 368 
be renewed biennially not later than the second December thirty-first 369 
following issuance, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, 370 
provided the commissioner determines that such registrant complies 371 
with any requirements provided by the commissioner as to the health, 372 
safety and humane treatment of animals that is applicable to animal 373 
importers. Such registration shall not be required for any employee or 374 
volunteer of a registered animal importer or other person who is 375 
required to be licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, 376  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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provided such employee, volunteer or other person is not otherwise an 377 
animal importer. Any person who violates the provisions of this 378 
subdivision shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. 379 
(2) Any animal importer who intends to offer for sale, adoption or 380 
transfer any dog or cat at a venue or location that is open to the public 381 
or at an outdoor location, including, but not limited to, a parking lot or 382 
shopping center, shall provide notice to the Department of Agriculture 383 
and the municipal zoning enforcement officer of the town where any 384 
such sale, adoption or transfer will occur, not later than ten days prior 385 
to such event. Such notice shall state the date for such sale, adoption or 386 
transfer event, the exact location of such event and the anticipated 387 
number of animals for sale, adoption or transfer at such event. Any 388 
person who fails to provide notice as required pursuant to this 389 
subdivision shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars per animal 390 
that is offered for sale, adoption or transfer at such event. 391 
(3) For the purpose of this subsection, "animal importer" means a 392 
person who brings any dog or cat into this state from any other 393 
sovereign entity for the purpose of offering such dog or cat to any 394 
person for sale, adoption or transfer in exchange for any fee, sale, 395 
voluntary contribution, service or any other consideration. "Animal 396 
importer" includes any commercial or nonprofit animal rescue or 397 
adoption, humane relocation or delivery organization that is not 398 
otherwise required to be licensed under the provisions of this chapter. 399 
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to apply 400 
to any animal importer who offers a dog or cat for sale to a pet shop that 401 
is licensed in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this 402 
section, provided such animal is delivered directly to a pet shop. 403 
(5) The Commissioner of Agriculture may inspect any animal 404 
imported by an animal importer or any record required to be kept by 405 
such animal importer, provided such inspection shall not authorize the 406 
entry of the commissioner into the residence of such animal importer. 407 
(6) Not later than December 31, 2013, the Commissioner of 408  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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Agriculture shall prescribe the conditions that constitute the humane 409 
treatment of animals that are applicable to animal importers. Such 410 
conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the appropriate shelter, 411 
availability of food and water and standard of care to be provided by an 412 
animal importer to such animals. 413 
(f) No person, including, but not limited to, a private entity, shall 414 
operate or maintain an animal shelter until [he or she] such person or 415 
private entity registers such animal shelter with the commissioner to 416 
operate and maintain such animal shelter under such regulations as the 417 
commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment 418 
of dogs or cats and the protection of the public safety. Upon written 419 
application and payment of a fee of fifty dollars to offset administrative 420 
costs of such registrations, the commissioner shall issue such 421 
registration to be effective until the second December thirty-first 422 
following issuance provided the commissioner finds [(A)] (1) that such 423 
regulations have been complied with, and [(B)] (2) in the case of each 424 
initial application for such registration, that the zoning enforcement 425 
official of the municipality wherein such animal shelter is to be operated 426 
or maintained has certified that the animal shelter conforms to the 427 
municipal zoning regulations. Such registration shall be renewed 428 
biennially, not later than December thirty-first, in accordance with the 429 
provisions of this section, and may be transferred by the registrant to 430 
another premises upon approval of the commissioner. For purposes of 431 
this subsection, "animal shelter" means any person, including, but not 432 
limited to, a private entity that operates a building or facility that is used 433 
solely to house homeless animals for the purpose of rescue or adoption 434 
and that is not operated within a private residence. 435 
(g) The commissioner may, at any time, inspect or cause to be 436 
inspected by the commissioner's agents any such commercial kennel, 437 
animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility, and if, (1) 438 
in the commissioner's judgment such commercial kennel, animal 439 
shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is not being 440 
maintained in a sanitary and humane manner or in a manner that 441 
protects the public safety, (2) the commissioner finds that contagious, 442  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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infectious or communicable disease or other unsatisfactory conditions 443 
exist, or (3) in the case of a pet shop, the commissioner finds any 444 
violation of the provisions of section 22a-381d, the commissioner may 445 
issue a fine to such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, 446 
grooming facility or training facility of not more than five hundred 447 
dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation, may issue 448 
such orders as the commissioner deems necessary for the correction of 449 
such conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the 450 
owner or keeper of such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, 451 
grooming facility or training facility fails to comply with the regulations 452 
or orders of the commissioner, or fails to comply with any provision of 453 
the statutes or regulations relating to dogs or other animals, the 454 
commissioner may refuse to issue or renew, revoke or suspend such 455 
license or registration, as applicable. Any person aggrieved by any order 456 
issued under the provisions of this section may appeal therefrom in 457 
accordance with the provisions of section 4-183. Any person 458 
maintaining any commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming 459 
facility or training facility without having obtained a license or 460 
registration for the same, as applicable or after any such license or 461 
registration has been revoked or suspended as provided herein shall be 462 
fined not more than two hundred dollars. The provisions of this section 463 
shall not apply to veterinary hospitals, except those boarding or 464 
grooming dogs for nonmedical purposes, and other establishments 465 
where all the dogs or animals were born and raised on the premises 466 
where they are kept for sale. 467 
(h) The provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section 468 
requiring certification by the zoning enforcement official that every 469 
commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility and training facility 470 
conforms to the zoning regulations of the municipality wherein such 471 
kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is maintained 472 
shall not apply to any person who is licensed under said subsections 473 
and maintained any such commercial kennel, pet shop or grooming 474 
facility prior to October 1, 1977, provided such person does not relocate 475 
such commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility 476  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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in a zone in which such commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility 477 
or training facility is not a permitted use. In addition, the provisions of 478 
said subsections and subsection (f) requiring certification by the zoning 479 
enforcement official that every commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet 480 
shop, grooming facility and training facility conforms to the zoning 481 
regulations of the municipality wherein such commercial kennel, 482 
animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is 483 
maintained shall not apply when a zone in which such commercial 484 
kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is 485 
maintained is changed to a use which does not permit such commercial 486 
kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility in 487 
such zone. 488 
(i) Any person found guilty of violating section 53-247 shall not be 489 
eligible to hold a license issued pursuant to this section. Any business 490 
entity with any person with a controlling interest who is found guilty of 491 
violating section 53-247 shall not be eligible to hold a license issued 492 
pursuant to this section. 493 
Sec. 6. Section 22-344b of the general statutes is repealed and the 494 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 495 
(a) A pet shop licensee shall, prior to offering a dog or cat for sale and 496 
thereafter at intervals of fifteen days until such dog or cat is sold, 497 
provide for examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed 498 
under chapter 384. Such licensee shall maintain [a] an electronic or 499 
paper record of the veterinary examinations and services rendered for 500 
each dog or cat offered for sale. 501 
(b) (1) If, (A) within twenty days of sale, any such dog or cat becomes 502 
ill or dies of any illness which existed in such dog or cat at the time of 503 
the sale, or (B) within six months of sale, any such dog or cat is 504 
diagnosed with a congenital defect that adversely affects or will 505 
adversely affect the health of such dog or cat, such licensee shall: (i) 506 
Reimburse such consumer for the value of the actual services and 507 
medications provided to such dog or cat by any veterinarian licensed 508  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	17 of 30 
 
pursuant to chapter 384 for the treatment of such illness or congenital 509 
defect upon the presentation by such consumer to such licensee of a 510 
certificate from such veterinarian that such dog or cat suffers or suffered 511 
from such illness or congenital defect, provided such reimbursement 512 
shall not exceed (I) the full purchase price of such dog or cat for any dog 513 
or cat purchased for five hundred dollars or more, and (II) five hundred 514 
dollars for any dog or cat purchased for less than five hundred dollars. 515 
No licensee may require the consumer to return such dog or cat to such 516 
licensee to receive such reimbursement, or (ii) at the option of such 517 
consumer, replace the dog or cat or refund in full the purchase price of 518 
such dog or cat: (I) In the case of illness or such congenital defect, upon 519 
return of the dog or cat to the pet shop and the receipt of a certificate 520 
from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 and selected by the 521 
consumer, stating that the dog or cat is ill from a condition which existed 522 
at the time of sale, or suffers from such congenital defect, and (II) in the 523 
case of death, the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed 524 
under chapter 384 and selected by the consumer, stating that the dog or 525 
cat died from an illness or a congenital defect which existed at the time 526 
of sale. The presentation of such certificate shall be sufficient proof to 527 
claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of such deceased 528 
dog or cat to the pet shop shall not be required. Any such consumer may 529 
seek the assistance of the Commissioner of Agriculture in the event that 530 
the licensee fails to reimburse such consumer in accordance with the 531 
provisions of this subsection. No such refund or replacement shall be 532 
made if such illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect by 533 
a person other than the licensee or such licensee's agent or employee. A 534 
licensee shall not be subject to the obligations imposed by this 535 
subsection for the sale of a cat where such cat has been spayed or 536 
neutered prior to its sale. In the event the licensee fails to comply with a 537 
demand for reimbursement or replacement, the consumer may bring an 538 
action in the Superior Court to enforce the provisions of this section. 539 
(2) Each pet shop licensee who sells dogs or cats shall post a statement 540 
of customer rights pursuant to this section in a location that is readily 541 
visible to the public and also provide a copy of such statement to any 542  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	18 of 30 
 
purchaser of a dog or cat at the time of purchase. The commissioner shall 543 
prescribe the content of such statement. Any statement of customer 544 
rights posted pursuant to this section shall be printed in black lettering 545 
of not less than twenty point size upon a white background. Any 546 
licensee who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be fined 547 
two hundred fifty dollars. 548 
(c) Any licensee who violates any provision of subsection (a) [or 549 
subdivision (1) of subsection (b)] of this section shall be fined not more 550 
than five hundred dollars. [Any fine assessed pursuant to this 551 
subsection for a failure to reimburse a consumer, as described in 552 
subsection (b) of this section, shall not preclude or be in lieu of any such 553 
reimbursement.] 554 
Sec. 7. Section 22-347 of the general statutes is repealed and the 555 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 556 
Within thirty days after receipt of the fees for dog licenses and tags, 557 
each town clerk shall deduct one dollar for each dog licensed, two 558 
dollars for each kennel license issued and fifty cents for each 559 
replacement tag issued and pay the balance to the town treasurer or 560 
other proper fiscal officer. Each town treasurer or fiscal officer, as the 561 
case may be, shall keep a separate dog fund account of all fees received 562 
from the town clerk, and all receipts from the municipal animal control 563 
officer and expended by said officer under the provisions of this chapter, 564 
and shall pay to the Commissioner of Agriculture, on September first of 565 
each year, fifty per cent of all moneys received from the sale of licenses 566 
prior to July first, or forty per cent of all such moneys if the town has 567 
made a survey of unlicensed dogs in accordance with the provisions of 568 
section 22-349, and include with such payment a statement of the 569 
number of licenses issued during such year. All moneys received from 570 
licenses sold after June thirtieth and all moneys received from the 571 
municipal animal control officer and all license fees returned to the town 572 
by the State Treasurer, at the request of the commissioner, [under the 573 
provisions of section 22-348] shall be kept by the town treasurer or other 574 
fiscal officer in the separate dog fund account. The town treasurer or 575  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	19 of 30 
 
other fiscal officer shall, on the ensuing September first, send fifty per 576 
cent, or forty per cent as the case may be, of all license fees in such 577 
account to the commissioner, including any penalty fees collected 578 
pursuant to section 22-338. All payments to the commissioner shall be 579 
accompanied by an account thereof in a form prescribed by the 580 
commissioner and a copy of such account shall be sent to the 581 
commissioner. Upon the failure of any town treasurer or other fiscal 582 
officer to pay any amount due pursuant to this section, or any portion 583 
thereof, within forty-five days from its due date, the commissioner shall 584 
add interest of one and one-fourth per cent per month or fraction thereof 585 
on the amount unpaid per month or fraction thereof from the due date 586 
of such payment to the date of payment and a penalty in the amount of 587 
ten per cent of the amount unpaid or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. 588 
All funds in the dog fund account, except such funds as are to be sent to 589 
the commissioner, shall be used only for the compensation of municipal 590 
animal control officers, license certificates, tags, the construction and 591 
maintenance of dog pounds, the detention and care of impounded dogs 592 
in accordance with section 22-336, municipal animal control officer's 593 
equipment, dog supplies and such veterinary fees as are provided for 594 
by law or regulations and shall not be used for any other purpose except 595 
upon written approval of the commissioner. No fees paid into the 596 
treasury of the town for tags or licenses for dogs shall be paid back to 597 
the persons from whom they were collected. 598 
Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 22-354 of the general statutes is 599 
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 600 
2023): 601 
(a) Any dog or cat imported into this state shall be accompanied by a 602 
certificate of health issued no earlier than thirty days prior to the date of 603 
importation by a licensed, graduate veterinarian accredited by the 604 
United States Department of Agriculture stating that such dog or cat is 605 
free from symptoms of any infectious, contagious or communicable 606 
disease, and that such dog or cat, if three months of age or older, is 607 
currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. A copy of such 608 
health certificate shall be forwarded promptly to the commissioner from 609  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	20 of 30 
 
the livestock sanitary official of the state of origin. Any dog or cat 610 
originating from a rabies quarantine area shall have permission of the 611 
State Veterinarian prior to importation into this state. No person, firm 612 
or corporation shall import or export for the purposes of sale, adoption 613 
or transfer or offering for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat under 614 
the age of eight weeks unless such dog or cat is transported with its dam 615 
and no person, firm or corporation shall sell or offer for adoption or 616 
transfer within the state any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks. 617 
Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this 618 
subsection or bringing any dog or cat into this state from an area under 619 
quarantine for rabies shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars. 620 
Sec. 9. Section 22-359 of the general statutes is repealed and the 621 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 622 
(a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may make 623 
such orders for the testing for rabies, adequate confinement, quarantine, 624 
control or [destruction] humane euthanasia of any dog, cat or other 625 
animal as [he deems] necessary to prevent the spread of rabies and to 626 
protect the public. [therefrom provided, notwithstanding the provisions 627 
of section 22-358, a] Any local director of health may order the 628 
[destruction] humane euthanasia of any unowned animal [which] that 629 
is not currently vaccinated for rabies for the purpose of rabies testing if 630 
the director finds that the animal has bitten a person and the health or 631 
life of such person may be threatened. [Any person who fails to comply 632 
with any order made under the provisions of this section shall be fined 633 
not more than one hundred dollars.] 634 
(b) The commissioner [, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal 635 
control officer or any municipal animal control officer] or any animal 636 
control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a 637 
shall quarantine any animal in a public pound, veterinary hospital, 638 
kennel or other building or enclosure approved by the commissioner for 639 
such purpose, if in the determination of the commissioner or such 640 
officer, such animal is rabid or is suspected of being rabid, or has been 641 
bitten by, or may have been bitten by, or has been in contact with or 642  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	21 of 30 
 
exposed to, a rabid animal or an animal suspected of carrying rabies or 643 
any wild animal as defined in subsection (d) of this section. The length 644 
of such quarantine period shall be determined by the commissioner or 645 
the State Veterinarian who shall take into account the age, general health 646 
and vaccination history of the animal as well as current accepted 647 
veterinary practices. Any suspected or confirmed case of rabies shall be 648 
reported by such officer to the [commissioner by a local director of 649 
health or board of health or any veterinarian within] State Veterinarian 650 
not later than twenty-four hours of receipt of such information. 651 
(c) Whenever a person, companion animal or other animal has been 652 
bitten or attacked by a dog, cat or ferret, any [state, municipal or 653 
regional] animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 654 
22-331 or 22-331a shall quarantine such biting or attacking dog, cat or 655 
ferret for ten days. During such quarantine such biting or attacking dog, 656 
cat or ferret shall be observed for clinical signs of rabies. On the tenth 657 
day of such quarantine, such dog, cat or ferret shall be examined by the 658 
State Veterinarian or a person designated by the State Veterinarian to 659 
determine whether such quarantine shall be continued or removed. The 660 
quarantine of a biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall conform to one 661 
of the following: (1) When the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret has a 662 
current rabies vaccination, the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall 663 
be quarantined in a public pound or in a veterinary hospital or in a 664 
commercial kennel approved by the State Veterinarian for such purpose 665 
or on the premises of the owner or keeper of such biting dog, cat or ferret 666 
when such premises is adequate for the confinement of such animal, as 667 
determined by the authority that issued such order; or (2) when the 668 
biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret does not have a current rabies 669 
vaccination, the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall be 670 
quarantined in a public pound or in a veterinary hospital or in a 671 
commercial kennel approved by the State Veterinarian for such 672 
purpose, or the dog, cat or ferret may be quarantined or confined on the 673 
premises of the owner or keeper of the biting or attacking dog, cat or 674 
ferret due to medical necessity determined by a licensed veterinarian 675 
when such premises is adequate for the confinement of such animal and 676  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	22 of 30 
 
acceptable to the municipality or agency issuing the quarantine order 677 
and provided such animal is vaccinated for rabies by a licensed 678 
veterinarian on the tenth day of such quarantine. 679 
(d) The management, confinement, quarantine or disposition of 680 
biting or attacking animals other than dogs, cats or ferrets shall be 681 
determined by the State Veterinarian who shall take into account the 682 
age, general health, rabies vaccination status of the biting or attacking 683 
animal, the rabies vaccination status of the animal exposed to or bitten 684 
by rabid or suspected rabid wildlife and the current national 685 
recommendations for the prevention and control of rabies. 686 
(e) The owner or keeper of any animal that has been quarantined or 687 
confined pursuant to this section may authorize the humane euthanasia 688 
of such animal by a licensed veterinarian at any time before the end of 689 
the quarantine or confinement period for the purpose of testing such 690 
animal for rabies. Any animal so euthanized shall be examined for 691 
rabies by the Connecticut Department of Public Health [virology 692 
laboratory] Laboratory or any laboratory authorized by the Connecticut 693 
Department of Public Health. The veterinarian performing the 694 
euthanasia shall be responsible for ensuring that the head of the 695 
euthanized animal is delivered to the appropriate laboratory for rabies 696 
examination not later than forty-eight hours after such euthanasia. The 697 
costs of any such quarantine, veterinary examination, rabies 698 
vaccination, euthanasia and rabies testing shall be the responsibility of 699 
the owner or keeper of any animal quarantined or confined pursuant to 700 
this section. 701 
[(b)] (f) Any dog, cat or other animal held in quarantine [which] that 702 
is clinically diagnosed as rabid by [two licensed veterinarians, at least 703 
one of whom shall be engaged in private practice,] a licensed 704 
veterinarian or the State Veterinarian shall be humanely euthanized 705 
immediately without prior notice to the owner or keeper of same. No 706 
person who [kills] humanely euthanizes any animal in accordance with 707 
this subsection shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor. Any 708 
animal that is humanely euthanized pursuant to this subsection shall be 709  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	23 of 30 
 
examined for rabies by the Connecticut Department of Public Health 710 
Laboratory or any laboratory authorized by the Connecticut 711 
Department of Public Health. The veterinarian performing the 712 
euthanasia shall be responsible for ensuring that the head of the 713 
euthanized animal is delivered to the appropriate laboratory for rabies 714 
examination not later than forty-eight hours after being euthanized. 715 
[(c)] (g) Any animal, other than a dog, [which] that is quarantined 716 
pursuant to this section which is not claimed by its owner or keeper 717 
[within the period] not later than five days after the expiration of such 718 
quarantine may be sold or given away by the municipal or regional 719 
animal control officer [, if he finds that] provided the animal is in good 720 
health. The animal may only be sold or given away as a pet to a person 721 
who satisfies [the] such officer that the animal will be given a good home 722 
and proper care. The municipal animal control officer may retain 723 
possession of such animal for such additional period of time as [he may 724 
deem advisable in order] necessary to place such animal. Any animal, 725 
other than a dog, [which] that is quarantined pursuant to this section 726 
[which] and that is not claimed by its owner or keeper [within the period 727 
of] not later than five days after the expiration of such quarantine and 728 
[which] that is not sold by the municipal or regional animal control 729 
officer [within] not later than five days [of] after the expiration of such 730 
quarantine, may be disposed of at the direction of the State Veterinarian. 731 
No person who disposes of any animal in accordance with this 732 
subsection shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor. 733 
[(d)] (h) [The commissioner, any] Any animal control officer 734 
appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a or any state or 735 
municipal police officer may immediately kill any wild animal [which 736 
is displaying] that displays behavior [which] that causes the 737 
commissioner, the State Veterinarian, a municipal police officer or such 738 
animal control officer to reasonably conclude that such animal is rabid. 739 
For purposes of this [subsection] section, "wild animal" means any 740 
mammal which is ferae naturae or wild by nature. 741 
[(e)] (i) The commissioner shall institute such measures as the 742  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	24 of 30 
 
commissioner deems necessary to prevent the transmission of rabies 743 
associated with animals in public settings, including, but not limited to, 744 
fairs, shows, exhibitions, petting zoos, riding stables, farm tours, pet 745 
shops and educational exhibits. 746 
[(f)] (j) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with 747 
chapter 54, to implement the provisions of subsection [(e)] (i) of this 748 
section. Such regulations may include requirements for the vaccination 749 
of animals against rabies, identification of animals, identification of 750 
owners or keepers of such animals, animal enclosures, posting of public 751 
advisories, reporting of rabies exposure incidents, records deemed 752 
necessary and proper relating to the vaccination of animals against 753 
rabies, and any other methods determined by the commissioner to 754 
prevent the transmission of rabies. Such regulations may consider the 755 
species of animal, the characteristics of the public settings and the nature 756 
and type of contact the public may have with animals. 757 
(k) Any suspected or confirmed case of rabies shall be reported to the 758 
State Veterinarian by the testing diagnostic laboratory or a local director 759 
of health or any licensed veterinarian not later than twenty-four hours 760 
after receipt of such information. 761 
(l) Any person who fails to comply with any order issued pursuant 762 
to this section shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars. Any dog, cat or 763 
other animal subject to a quarantine or confinement order issued 764 
pursuant to this section whose owner or keeper fails to comply with 765 
such quarantine order may be seized by any state, municipal or regional 766 
animal control officer and held in quarantine until such quarantine is 767 
complete and the dog, cat or other animal is examined by a licensed 768 
veterinarian. All costs associated with a failure to comply with a 769 
quarantine or confinement order issued pursuant to this section, 770 
including, but not limited to, the costs of seizure, care, handling, 771 
veterinary examination and rabies vaccination shall be paid by the 772 
owner or keeper of such animal prior to the release of such animal to 773 
such owner or keeper. 774  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	25 of 30 
 
Sec. 10. Section 22-364b of the general statutes is repealed and the 775 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 776 
The owner or keeper of a dog shall restrain and control such dog on 777 
a leash when such dog is not on the property of its owner or keeper and 778 
is in proximity to a [blind, deaf or mobility impaired] person with a 779 
disability accompanied by [his guide dog] a service animal, provided 780 
[the guide dog] such service animal is in the direct custody of such 781 
[blind, deaf or mobility impaired] person [, is wearing a harness or an 782 
orange-colored leash and collar which makes it readily-identifiable as a 783 
guide dog] and is licensed in accordance with section 22-345. Any 784 
person who violates the provisions of this section shall have committed 785 
an infraction. If an owner or keeper of a dog violates the provisions of 786 
this section and, as a result of such violation, such dog attacks and 787 
injures the [guide dog] service animal, such owner or keeper shall be 788 
liable, as provided in section 22-357, for any damage done to such [guide 789 
dog] service animal, and such liability shall include liability for any costs 790 
incurred by such [blind, deaf or mobility-impaired] person for the 791 
veterinary care, rehabilitation or replacement of the injured [guide dog] 792 
service animal and for reasonable attorney's fees. 793 
Sec. 11. Section 22-367 of the general statutes is repealed and the 794 
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 795 
Any person owning, keeping or harboring [a dog or cat] an animal or 796 
maintaining a breeding kennel or commercial kennel who violates any 797 
provision of this chapter for the violation of which no other penalty is 798 
provided, or any regulation legally made and published [for restraining 799 
or destroying dogs or cats,] shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty 800 
dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both. No commercial 801 
kennel shall board any dog or cat unless the owner of the dog or cat 802 
presents a certificate of vaccination as required by this chapter. 803 
[Constables, municipal animal control officers, regional animal control 804 
officers, the] The Chief Animal Control Officer, [the] any animal control 805 
[officers, and all prosecuting officers] officer and any municipal or 806 
regional control officer shall diligently inquire after, and prosecute for, 807  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	26 of 30 
 
any violation of any provision of this chapter. [, and the commissioner 808 
shall, upon the complaint of any person that such officer is dilatory or 809 
negligent in the performance of the officer's duties concerning the 810 
enforcement of any such provision, take such action as the officer deems 811 
necessary to secure such enforcement.] 812 
Sec. 12. Subsection (a) of section 22-380i of the general statutes is 813 
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 814 
passage): 815 
(a) The program established under section 22-380g shall provide for 816 
payment to any participating veterinarian of an amount equivalent to 817 
the voucher issued pursuant to section 22-380f for each animal 818 
sterilization and vaccinations, coincident with sterilization, performed 819 
by such veterinarian upon a dog or cat owned by an eligible owner. For 820 
a sterilization procedure, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall 821 
establish a rate of reimbursement biennially that is not more than 822 
seventy-five per cent of the market rate or the fee charged by 823 
veterinarians in the state. [as of October 31, 2021.] In the case of a 824 
sterilization fee exceeding the amount of the voucher, the eligible owner 825 
shall pay the participating veterinarian the difference between such fee 826 
and the amount of the voucher. Such voucher shall be in the amount of 827 
thirty dollars, in addition to the amount designated for sterilization, for 828 
vaccinations coincident with the sterilization of a dog or cat owned by 829 
an eligible owner. 830 
Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 51-164n of the general statutes is 831 
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 832 
passage): 833 
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any person 834 
who is alleged to have committed (1) a violation under the provisions of 835 
section 1-9, 1-10, 1-11, 2-71h, 4b-13, 7-13, 7-14, 7-35 or 7-41, subsection (c) 836 
of section 7-66, section 7-83, 7-147h, 7-148, 7-148f, 7-148o, 7-283, 7-325, 7-837 
393, 8-12, 8-25, 8-27, 9-63, 9-322, 9-350, 10-185, 10-193, 10-197, 10-198, 10-838 
230, 10-251, 10-254, 10a-35, 12-52, 12-54, 12-129b or 12-170aa, subdivision 839  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	27 of 30 
 
(3) of subsection (e) of section 12-286, section 12-286a, 12-292, 12-314b or 840 
12-326g, subdivision (4) of section 12-408, subdivision (3), (5) or (6) of 841 
section 12-411, section 12-435c, 12-476a, 12-476b, 12-476c, 12-487, 13a-71, 842 
13a-107, 13a-113, 13a-114, 13a-115, 13a-117b, 13a-123, 13a-124, 13a-139, 843 
13a-140, 13a-143b, 13a-253, 13a-263 or 13b-39f, subsection (f) of section 844 
13b-42, section 13b-90 or 13b-100, subsection (a) of section 13b-108, 845 
section 13b-221 or 13b-292, subsection (a) or (b) of section 13b-324, 846 
section 13b-336, 13b-337, 13b-338, 13b-410a, 13b-410b or 13b-410c, 847 
subsection (a), (b) or (c) of section 13b-412, section 13b-414 or 14-4, 848 
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-12, subsection (d) of 849 
section 14-12, subsection (f) of section 14-12a, subsection (a) of section 850 
14-15a, section 14-16c, 14-20a or 14-27a, subsection (f) of section 14-34a, 851 
subsection (d) of section 14-35, section 14-43, 14-44j, 14-49, 14-50a, 14-58 852 
or 14-62a, subsection (b) of section 14-66, section 14-66a or 14-67a, 853 
subsection (g) of section 14-80, subsection (f) or (i) of section 14-80h, 854 
section 14-97a or 14-98, subsection (a), (b) or (d) of section 14-100a, 855 
section 14-100b, 14-103a, 14-106a, 14-106c, 14-145a or 14-146, subsection 856 
(b) of section 14-147, section 14-152, 14-153, 14-161 or 14-163b, subsection 857 
(f) of section 14-164i, section 14-213b or 14-219, subdivision (1) of section 858 
14-223a, subsection (d) of section 14-224, section 14-240, 14-250, 14-253a, 859 
14-261a, 14-262, 14-264, 14-266, 14-267a, 14-269, 14-270, 14-272b, 14-274, 860 
14-275 or 14-275a, subsection (c) of section 14-275c, section 14-276, 861 
subsection (a) or (b) of section 14-277, section 14-278, 14-279 or 14-280, 862 
subsection (b), (e) or (h) of section 14-283, section 14-283d, 14-283e, 14-863 
283f, 14-283g, 14-291, 14-293b, 14-296aa, 14-298a, 14-300, 14-300d, 14-864 
300f, 14-319, 14-320, 14-321, 14-325a, 14-326, 14-330 or 14-332a, 865 
subdivision (1), (2) or (3) of section 14-386a, section 15-15e, 15-25 or 15-866 
33, subdivision (1) of section 15-97, subsection (a) of section 15-115, 867 
section 16-15, 16-16, 16-44, 16-256e, 16-278 or 16a-15, subsection (a) of 868 
section 16a-21, section 16a-22, subsection (a) or (b) of section 16a-22h, 869 
section 16a-106, 17a-24, 17a-145, 17a-149 or 17a-152, subsection (b) of 870 
section 17a-227, section 17a-465, subsection (c) of section 17a-488, section 871 
17b-124, 17b-131, 17b-137, 19a-33, 19a-39 or 19a-87, subsection (b) of 872 
section 19a-87a, section 19a-91, 19a-102a, 19a-102b, 19a-105, 19a-107, 873 
19a-113, 19a-215, 19a-216a, 19a-219, 19a-222, 19a-224, 19a-286, 19a-287, 874  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	28 of 30 
 
19a-297, 19a-301, 19a-309, 19a-335, 19a-336, 19a-338, 19a-339, 19a-340, 875 
19a-425, 19a-442, 19a-502, 19a-565, 20-7a, 20-14, 20-153a, 20-158, 20-231, 876 
20-233, 20-249, 20-257, 20-265, 20-324e, 20-329c or 20-329g, subsection (b) 877 
of section 20-334, section 20-341l, 20-366, 20-482, 20-597, 20-608, 20-610, 878 
20-623, 21-1, 21-38, 21-39, 21-43, 21-47, 21-48 or 21-63, subsection (d) of 879 
section 21-71, section 21-76a or 21-100, subsection (c) of section 21a-2, 880 
subdivision (1) of section 21a-19, section 21a-20 or 21a-21, subdivision 881 
(1) of subsection (b) of section 21a-25, section 21a-26 or 21a-30, 882 
subsection (a) of section 21a-37, section 21a-46, 21a-61, 21a-63, 21a-70b 883 
or 21a-77, subsection (b) or (c) of section 21a-79, section 21a-85 or 21a-884 
154, subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 21a-159, section 21a-278b, 885 
subsection (c), (d) or (e) of section 21a-279a, section 21a-421eee, 21a-886 
421fff, 21a-421hhh, subsection (a) of section 21a-430, section 22-12b, 22-887 
13, 22-14, 22-15, 22-16, 22-26g, 22-30, 22-34, 22-35, 22-36, 22-38, 22-39, 22-888 
39f, 22-49, 22-54, 22-61j or 22-61l, subdivision (1) of subsection (n) of 889 
section 22-61l, subsection (f) of section 22-61m, subdivision (1) of 890 
subsection (f) of section 22-61m, section 22-84, 22-89, 22-90, 22-96, 22-98, 891 
22-99, 22-100 or 22-111o, subsection (d) of section 22-118l, section 22-167, 892 
subsection (c) of section 22-277, section 22-278, 22-279, 22-280a, 22-318a, 893 
22-320h, 22-324a or 22-326, subsection (b), subdivision (1) or (2) of 894 
subsection (e) or subsection (g) of section 22-344, as amended by this act, 895 
subsection (a) or (b) of section 22-344b, as amended by this act, [section 896 
22-344c,] subsection (d) of section 22-344d, section 22-344f, 22-350a, 22-897 
354, as amended by this act, 22-359, as amended by this act, 22-366, 22-898 
391, 22-413, 22-414, 22-415, 22-415c, 22a-66a or 22a-246, subsection (a) of 899 
section 22a-250, section 22a-256g, subsection (e) of section 22a-256h, 900 
section 22a-363 or 22a-381d, subsections (c) and (d) of section 22a-381e, 901 
section 22a-449, 22a-450, 22a-461, 23-4b, 23-38, 23-45, 23-46 or 23-61b, 902 
subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 23-65, section 903 
25-37 or 25-40, subsection (a) of section 25-43, section 25-43d, 25-135, 26-904 
18, 26-19, 26-21, 26-31, 26-40, 26-40a, 26-42, 26-43, 26-49, 26-54, 26-55, 26-905 
56, 26-58 or 26-59, subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 26-61, 906 
section 26-64, subdivision (1) of section 26-76, section 26-79, 26-87, 26-89, 907 
26-91, 26-94, 26-97, 26-98, 26-104, 26-105, 26-107, 26-114a, 26-117, 908 
subsection (b) of section 26-127, 26-128, 26-128a, 26-131, 26-132, 26-138, 909  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
LCO No. 4213   	29 of 30 
 
26-139 or 26-141, subdivision (1) of section 26-186, section 26-207, 26-215, 910 
26-217 or 26-224a, subdivision (1) of section 26-226, section 26-227, 26-911 
230, 26-231, 26-232, 26-244, 26-257a, 26-260, 26-276, 26-280, 26-284, 26-912 
285, 26-286, 26-287, 26-288, 26-290, 26-291a, 26-292, 26-294, 27-107, 28-13, 913 
29-6a, 29-16, 29-17, 29-25, 29-143o, 29-143z or 29-156a, subsection (b), (d), 914 
(e), (g) or (h) of section 29-161q, section 29-161y or 29-161z, subdivision 915 
(1) of section 29-198, section 29-210, 29-243 or 29-277, subsection (c) of 916 
section 29-291c, section 29-316 or 29-318, subsection (b) of section 29-917 
335a, section 29-381, 30-19f, 30-48a or 30-86a, subsection (b) of section 918 
30-89, subsection (c) or (d) of section 30-117, section 31-3, 31-10, 31-11, 919 
31-12, 31-13, 31-14, 31-15, 31-16, 31-18, 31-23, 31-24, 31-25, 31-32, 31-36, 920 
31-38, 31-40, 31-44, 31-47 or 31-48, subsection (b) of section 31-48b, 921 
section 31-51, 31-51g, 31-52, 31-52a, 31-53 or 31-54, subsection (a) or (c) 922 
of section 31-69, section 31-70, 31-74, 31-75, 31-76, 31-76a, 31-89b or 31-923 
134, subsection (i) of section 31-273, section 31-288, 31-348, 33-624, 33-924 
1017, 34-13d or 34-412, subdivision (1) of section 35-20, subsection (a) of 925 
section 36a-57, subsection (b) of section 36a-665, section 36a-699, 36a-926 
739, 36a-787, 38a-2 or 38a-140, subsection (a) or (b) of section 38a-278, 927 
section 38a-479qq, 38a-479rr, 38a-506, 38a-548, 38a-626, 38a-680, 38a-713, 928 
38a-733, 38a-764, 38a-786, 38a-828, 38a-829, 38a-885, 42-133hh, 42-230, 929 
42-470 or 42-480, subsection (a) or (c) of section 43-16q, section 45a-283, 930 
45a-450, 45a-634 or 45a-658, subdivision (13) or (14) of section 46a-54, 931 
section 46a-59, 46a-81b, 46b-22, 46b-24, 46b-34, 46b-38d, 47-34a, 47-47 or 932 
47-53, subsection (i) of section 47a-21, subdivision (1) of subsection (k) 933 
of section 47a-21, section 49-2a, 49-8a, 49-16, 52-143 or 52-289, subsection 934 
(j) of section 52-362, section 53-133, 53-199, 53-212a, 53-249a, 53-252, 53-935 
264, 53-280, 53-290a, 53-302a, 53-303e, 53-311a, 53-314, 53-321, 53-322, 53-936 
323 or 53-331, subsection (b) of section 53-343a, section 53-344, 937 
subsection (b) or (c) of section 53-344b, subsection (b) of section 53-345a, 938 
section 53-377, 53-422 or 53-450 or subsection (i) of section 54-36a, or (2) 939 
a violation under the provisions of chapter 268, or (3) a violation of any 940 
regulation adopted in accordance with the provisions of section 12-484, 941 
12-487 or 13b-410, or (4) a violation of any ordinance, regulation or 942 
bylaw of any town, city or borough, except violations of building codes 943 
and the health code, for which the penalty exceeds ninety dollars but 944  Raised Bill No.  1069 
 
 
 
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does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars, unless such town, city or 945 
borough has established a payment and hearing procedure for such 946 
violation pursuant to section 7-152c, shall follow the procedures set 947 
forth in this section. 948 
Sec. 14. Sections 22-344c and 22-348 of the general statutes are 949 
repealed. (Effective from passage) 950 
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following 
sections: 
 
Section 1 from passage 22-327 
Sec. 2 from passage 22-329a(e) to (h) 
Sec. 3 from passage 22-334 
Sec. 4 from passage 22-342 
Sec. 5 from passage 22-344 
Sec. 6 July 1, 2023 22-344b 
Sec. 7 from passage 22-347 
Sec. 8 July 1, 2023 22-354(a) 
Sec. 9 from passage 22-359 
Sec. 10 from passage 22-364b 
Sec. 11 from passage 22-367 
Sec. 12 from passage 22-380i(a) 
Sec. 13 from passage 51-164n(b) 
Sec. 14 from passage Repealer section 
 
Statement of Purpose:   
To redefine "animal", regulate breeding kennels, provide certain 
procedures concerning the control of rabies and make other minor 
changes to domestic animal related statutes. 
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except 
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not 
underlined.]