Bill > HB06504

This bill makes various revisions to animal-related statutes concerning domestic and companion animals and rabies quarantine periods. The key provisions include: - Defining "poultry" and "service animal" for the purposes of the law. - Clarifying the powers and duties of animal control officers to intervene in cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and procedures for the temporary custody and permanent ownership of neglected or cruelly treated animals. - Establishing a separate Animal Abuse Cost Recovery Account to fund the housing, care, and welfare of animals seized by the Department of Agriculture. - Allowing regional animal control officers to be appointed to serve multiple smaller towns, and enabling temporary appointments of animal control officers across municipal boundaries. - Requiring animal importers and animal shelters to regularly examine and provide veterinary care for dogs and cats before adoption or transfer. - Allowing for a reduced 4-month rabies quarantine period in certain cases where the animal was vaccinated shortly after an attack. - Increasing the amount of funds that can be used for the sterilization and vaccination of feral cats, and adjusting the reimbursement rates for veterinarians participating in the animal population control program.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Environment Committee (Joint)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB06504&which_year=2021