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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 or
10 animal control officer.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ addresses the methods by which an animal shelter or animal control officer may
14 euthanize an animal;
15 ▸ requires an animal shelter to adopt a euthanasia policy and training program; and
16 ▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 11-46-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 130
24 ENACTS:
25 11-46-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
26 11-46-402, 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 [
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. Euthanasia of shelter animals -- Permitted methods.
56 (1) Subject to Subsection (2) and except as provided in Subsection (3), an animal
57 shelter shall use sodium pentobarbital or a derivative as the exclusive method for euthanasia of
58 an animal.
59 (2) An animal shelter shall administer sodium pentobarbital or a derivative by:
60 (a) intravenous injection by hypodermic needle;
61 (b) intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle; or
62 (c) if an animal is unconscious, intracardial injection by hypodermic needle.
63 (3) (a) Subsection (1) does not apply to an animal that must be euthanized outside of
64 the animal shelter's place of business or facility by an animal control officer who:
65 (i) contracts with the animal shelter; and
66 (ii) must, subject to Subsection (3)(b), euthanize the animal in an emergency situation.
67 (b) If an animal control officer must euthanize an animal in an emergency situation, the
68 officer shall use the most humane method available.
69 (4) Subsection (1) applies:
70 (a) for euthanasia of a domestic animal, on or after July 1, 2021; and
71 (b) for euthanasia of a wild animal, on or after July 1, 2022.
72 Section 3. Section 11-46-402 is enacted to read:
73 11-46-402. Animal shelter euthanasia training -- Documentation.
74 (1) If an animal shelter euthanizes animals, the animal shelter shall:
75 (a) adopt a policy for euthanasia that mandates procedures that comply with the
76 applicable provisions of this part;
77 (b) adopt a euthanasia training program; and
78 (c) require each person who conducts or assists with euthanasia to attend the training
79 program biennially.
80 (2) A policy and training program described in Subsection (1) shall be reviewed and
81 approved by a veterinarian who is licensed in accordance with Title 58, Chapter 28, Veterinary
82 Practice Act.
83 (3) The animal shelter shall maintain a record of training dates and who attended.