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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill enacts language related to euthanasia of an animal by an animal shelter.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 ▸ authorizes an animal shelter to euthanize an animal by sodium pentobarbital;
13 ▸ prohibits an animal shelter from using certain methods to euthanize an animal;
14 ▸ requires an animal shelter to adopt a euthanasia policy and training program; and
15 ▸ makes technical and conforming corrections.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 11-46-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 130
23 ENACTS:
24 11-46-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
25 11-46-402, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26 11-46-403, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 11-46-103 is amended to read:
30 11-46-103. Stray animals.
31 (1) Each municipal or county animal control officer shall hold any unidentified or
32 unclaimed stray animal in safe and humane custody for a minimum of five business days after
33 the time of impound and prior to making any final disposition of the animal.
34 (2) A record of each animal held shall be maintained. The record shall include:
35 (a) date of impound;
36 (b) date of disposition; and
37 (c) method of disposition, which may be:
38 (i) placement in an adoptive home or other transfer of the animal, which shall be in
39 compliance with Part 2, Animal Shelter Pet Sterilization Act;
40 (ii) return to its owner;
41 (iii) placement in a community cat program as defined in Section 11-46-302; or
42 (iv) euthanasia in accordance with Part 4, Euthanasia of Shelter Animals.
43 (3) An unidentified or unclaimed stray animal may be euthanized prior to the
44 completion of the five working day minimum holding period to prevent unnecessary suffering
45 due to serious injury or disease, if the euthanasia is in compliance with:
46 (a) written agency or department policies and procedures[
47 (b) any local ordinances allowing the euthanasia[
48 (c) Part 4, Euthanasia of Shelter Animals.
49 (4) An unidentified or unclaimed stray animal shall be returned to its owner upon:
50 (a) proof of ownership;
51 (b) compliance with requirements of local animal control ordinances; and
52 (c) compliance with Part 2, Animal Shelter Pet Sterilization Act.
53 Section 2. Section 11-46-401 is enacted to read:
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55 11-46-401. Title.
56 This part is known as "Euthanasia of Shelter Animals."
57 Section 3. Section 11-46-402 is enacted to read:
58 11-46-402. Euthanasia of shelter animals -- Prohibited and permitted methods.
59 (1) Except as provided in Subsection (3), an animal shelter shall, in accordance with
60 Subsection (2), use sodium pentobarbital or a derivative as the exclusive method for euthanasia
61 of an animal.
62 (2) The animal shelter shall administer sodium pentobarbital or a derivative in the
63 following descending order of preference:
64 (a) intravenous injection by hypodermic needle;
65 (b) intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle; or
66 (c) if an animal is unconscious, intracardial injection by hypodermic needle.
67 (3) (a) Subsection (1) does not apply to an animal that must be euthanized outside of
68 the animal shelter's place of business or facility by an animal control officer who:
69 (i) contracts with the animal shelter; and
70 (ii) must, subject to Subsection (3)(b), euthanize the animal in an emergency situation.
71 (b) If an animal control officer must euthanize an animal in an emergency situation, the
72 officer shall use the most humane method available.
73 (4) (a) An animal shelter may not use the following methods for euthanasia of an
74 animal:
75 (i) carbon monoxide gas or any other lethal gas;
76 (ii) a chamber:
77 (A) which causes a change in body oxygen by means of altering atmospheric pressure;
78 or
79 (B) that is connected to an internal combustion engine and uses the engine exhaust; or
80 (iii) any other method that is not permitted under Subsection (1).
81 (b) An animal shelter that, before May 12, 2015, uses a method described in
82 Subsection (4)(a)(i) or (ii) shall no later than August 1, 2015, dismantle and remove any parts
83 or infrastructure, including a chamber, used to administer the method.
84 Section 4. Section 11-46-403 is enacted to read:
85 11-46-403. Animal shelter euthanasia training -- Documentation.
86 (1) If an animal shelter euthanizes animals, the animal shelter shall:
87 (a) adopt a policy for euthanasia that mandates procedures that comply with the
88 applicable provisions of this part;
89 (b) adopt a euthanasia training program; and
90 (c) require each person who conducts or assists with euthanasia to attend the training
91 program biennially.
92 (2) A policy and training program required under Subsection (1) shall be reviewed and
93 approved by a veterinarian who is currently licensed in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 28,
94 Veterinary Practice Act.
95 (3) The animal shelter shall keep a record of training dates and who attended.
Legislative Review Note
as of 2-10-15 3:54 PM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel