§ 32 §4872 — Disposal of abandoned animals

Any veterinarian may dispose of any animal the veterinarian has reason to believe has been abandoned in the veterinarian's establishment if the veterinarian gives notice of the veterinarian's intention to do so to the owner at the owner's last known address by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and allows a period of 5 days to elapse after the receipt is returned before disposing of such animal; but if the owner can not be located at that address, the veterinarian shall give the notice by publication in a newspaper having a circulation in the town in which the owner was last known to reside, and shall allow a period of 10 days to elapse after the publication before disposing of the animal. The animal is considered abandoned if the owner was not located by registered mail or notice by publications and did not reply in person or by mail within the time periods outlined stating the owner's intent to claim the animal.

Legislative History

PL 1975, c. 477, §4 (NEW). PL 1979, c. 291, §12 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 246, §28 (AMD).