Bill Text: GA HB606 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Animal protection; methods for euthanasia; training; provide

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-04 - House Second Readers [HB606 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB606-Introduced.html

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09 LC 25 5541

House Bill 606

By: Representatives Knox of the 24th, Hatfield of the 177th, Benfield of the 85th, Drenner of the 86th, Dobbs of the 53rd, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to animal protection, so as to provide for methods for euthanasia of animals; to provide for training of certain persons authorized to euthanize animals; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to animal protection, is amended by revising Code Section 4-11-5.1, relating to euthanasia for dogs and cats by animal shelters or facilities operated for the collection of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals, as follows:

"4-11-5.1.

(a) The Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, the use of sodium pentobarbital or a derivative of it shall be the exclusive method for euthanasia of dogs and cats by animal shelters or other facilities which are operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals. A lethal solution shall be used in the following order of preference as follows:

(1)(A) Intravenous injection by hypodermic needle The preferred method of injection of all animals shall be intravenous injection by hypodermic needle using venipuncture of a superficial vein. The lateral saphenous vein should be used whenever possible on dogs, and the cephalic or femoral vein should be used whenever possible on cats. Such method shall be used on all dogs and cats except animals too small to allow the effective performance of a venipuncture or animals in which superficial venous pressure is insufficient for effective venipuncture;

(2) Intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle; or (B) If the method described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph cannot be used, injection may be intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle, injecting not less than three times the recommended intravenous dosage into the abdominal cavity through the mid-abdominal region. This method may be used upon dogs and cats only in animals too small to allow the effective performance of a venipuncture or animals in which superficial venous pressure is insufficient for effective venipuncture; and

(3) Intracardial (C) If the method described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph cannot be used, injection may be intracardial injection by hypodermic needle; provided, however, that intracardial injection by thoracic cavity penetration shall only be used on anesthetized unconscious or comatose animals that are too small to allow the effective performance of a venipuncture or in which superficial venous pressure is insufficient for effective venipuncture; or

(2) By oral ingestion of powdered sodium pentobarbital in capsules mixed with food, with the animal remaining separated from other animals until dead.

(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section:

(1) A chamber using commercially bottled carbon monoxide gas which was used on July 1, 1990, for euthanasia of dogs and cats by any animal shelter or other facility may continue to be used for such purposes by such animal shelter or facility if such animal shelter or facility notifies the Commissioner of Agriculture, in writing, on or before August 1, 1990, that such a chamber was in use by such animal shelter or facility on July 1, 1990. However, a chamber which causes a change in body oxygen by means of altering atmospheric pressure or which is connected to an internal combustion engine and uses the engine exhaust for euthanasia purposes shall not be permitted under any circumstances; and

(2) Any substance which is clinically proven to be as humane as sodium pentobarbital and which has been officially recognized as such by the American Veterinary Medical Association as of the effective date of this subsection or by later rule or regulation of the Commissioner may be used in lieu of sodium pentobarbital to perform euthanasia by injection on dogs and cats, but succinylcholine chloride, curare, curariform mixtures, or any substance which acts as a neuromuscular blocking agent may not be used on a dog or cat in lieu of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia purposes; and

(2) A chamber using commercially bottled carbon monoxide gas or a chamber which causes a change in body oxygen by means of altering atmospheric pressure or which is connected to an internal combustion engine and uses the engine exhaust for euthanasia purposes shall not be permitted under any condition.

(c) In addition to the exceptions provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section, in cases of extraordinary circumstance where the dog or cat poses an extreme risk or danger to the veterinarian, physician, or lay person performing euthanasia, such person shall be allowed the use of any other substance or procedure that is humane to perform euthanasia on such dangerous dog or cat.

(d) A dog or cat may be tranquilized with an approved and humane substance before euthanasia is performed.

(d)(e) Euthanasia shall be performed by a licensed veterinarian or physician or a lay person who is properly trained in the proper and humane use of a method of euthanasia; provided, however, that any such lay person shall have successfully completed a euthanasia technician certification course approved by the American Humane Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, or the Humane Society of the United States as of the effective date of this subsection or approved by later rule or regulation of the Commissioner. Such lay person shall perform euthanasia under supervision of a licensed veterinarian or physician. This shall not be construed so as to require that a veterinarian or physician be present at the time euthanasia is performed.

(e)(f) No dog or cat may be left unattended between the time euthanasia procedures are first begun and the time death occurs, nor may its body be disposed of until death is confirmed by a qualified person.

(f)(g) The supervising veterinarian or physician shall be subject to all record-keeping requirements and inspection requirements of the State Board of Pharmacy pertaining to sodium pentobarbital and other drugs authorized under subsection (b) of this Code section and may limit the quantity of possession of sodium pentobarbital and other drugs authorized to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Code section.

(h) This Code section shall not apply to any animal shelter or other facility located in a county having a population of 25,000 or less according to the most recent United States decennial census."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective on the first day of the month following the month in which it is approved by the Governor or becomes law without such approval.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.