Bill Text: CT HB05008 | 2011 | General Assembly | Chaptered
Bill Title: An Act Concerning The Quarantine Of Biting Guide Dogs.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-07-13 - Signed by the Governor [HB05008 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2011-HB05008-Chaptered.html
Substitute House Bill No. 5008
AN ACT CONCERNING THE QUARANTINE OF BITING GUIDE DOGS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (c) of section 22-358 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2011):
(c) If such officer finds that the complainant has been bitten or attacked by such dog, cat or other animal when the complainant was not upon the premises of the owner or keeper of such dog, cat or other animal the officer shall quarantine such dog, cat or other animal in a public pound or order the owner or keeper to quarantine it in a veterinary hospital, kennel or other building or enclosure approved by the commissioner for such purpose. When any dog, cat or other animal has bitten a person on the premises of the owner or keeper of such dog, cat or other animal, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer, any municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer may quarantine such dog, cat or other animal on the premises of the owner or keeper of such dog, cat or other animal. The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer, any municipal animal control officer or any regional animal control officer may make any order concerning the restraint or disposal of any biting dog, cat or other animal as the commissioner or such officer deems necessary. Notice of any such order shall be given to the person bitten by such dog, cat or other animal within twenty-four hours. The owner of such animal shall pay all fees as set forth in section 22-333. On the fourteenth day of such quarantine the dog, cat or other animal shall be examined by the commissioner or someone designated by the commissioner to determine whether such quarantine shall be continued or removed. Whenever any quarantine is ordered under the provisions of this section, notice thereof shall be given to the commissioner and to the person bitten or attacked by such dog, cat or other animal within twenty-four hours. Any owner or keeper of such dog, cat or other animal who fails to comply with such order shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both. If an owner or keeper fails to comply with a quarantine or restraining order made pursuant to this subsection, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer, any municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer may seize the dog, cat or other animal to insure such compliance and the owner or keeper shall be responsible for any expenses resulting from such seizure. Any person aggrieved by an order of any municipal animal control officer, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or any regional animal control officer may request a hearing before the commissioner within fourteen days of the issuance of such order. After such hearing, the commissioner may affirm, modify or revoke such order as the commissioner deems proper. Any dog owned by a police agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions is exempt from the provisions of this subsection when such dog is under the direct supervision, care and control of an assigned police officer, [has been vaccinated annually] is currently vaccinated and is subject to routine veterinary care. Any guide dog owned or in the custody and control of a blind person or a person with a mobility impairment is exempt from the provisions of this subsection when such guide dog is under the direct supervision, care and control of such person, is currently vaccinated and is subject to routine veterinary care.