(a)
(1) Whenever the Veterinary Medical Examining Board determines that any provision of this chapter or any rule promulgated by the board pursuant to this chapter has been violated, the board may impose a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation.
(2) The board may file an action in the Pulaski County Circuit Court to collect any civil penalty not paid within thirty (30) days of service of the order assessing the penalty, unless the circuit court enters a stay of the board's order.
(3) If the board prevails in the action, the defendant shall be directed to pay reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred by the board in prosecuting the action in addition to the civil penalty.
(b) Any person aggrieved by the action of the board imposing civil penalties may appeal the decision in the manner and under the procedure prescribed in the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., for appeals from administrative decisions.
(c) All funds derived from civil penalties imposed by the board shall be deposited into one (1) or more depositories qualifying for the deposit of public funds. The funds shall be used by the board for administering the provisions of this chapter.