47-1803. Disposition of injured or diseased animals.
(a) Any public health officer, officer or agent of a duly incorporated humane society, animal shelter or other appropriate facility, licensed veterinarian or police officer may take charge of any livestock or other domestic animal found injured or diseased upon public property. Such animal may be transported to a licensed veterinarian or a duly incorporated humane society, animal shelter or other appropriate facility for treatment, or, if such animal is injured or diseased beyond recovery or appears likely to injure any person or property, such animal may be killed in a humane manner by any such officer or agent.
(b) Any public health officer, officer or agent of a duly incorporated humane society, animal shelter or other appropriate facility, licensed veterinarian or police officer may take charge of any livestock or other domestic animal found injured or diseased upon private property if such animal appears likely to injure any person or property. The disposition of such animal shall be as provided in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Unless any such animal's death appears to be imminent by reason of its disease or disability, or such animal is likely to injure any person or property, no such animal may be killed under the provisions of this section unless its owner cannot be located within twenty-four (24) hours.
History: L. 1975, ch. 280, § 1; July 1.