257.100 Destruction of suffering, abandoned, or hopelessly diseased animal --
"Abandonment" defined.
(1) Any peace officer, animal control officer, or any person authorized by the board
may destroy or kill or cause to be destroyed or killed, any animal found abandoned <br>and suffering and not properly cared for, or appearing to be injured, diseased, or <br>suffering past recovery for any useful purpose.
(2) Before destroying the animal the officer shall obtain the judgment to that effect of a
veterinarian, or of two (2) reputable citizens called by him to view the animal in his <br>presence, or shall obtain consent to the destruction from the owner of the animal.
(3) (a) Any animal placed in the custody of a licensed veterinarian for treatment,
boarding, or other care, which shall be unclaimed by its owner or his agent for <br>a period of more than ten (10) days after written notice by certified mail, <br>return receipt requested, is given the owner or his agent at his last known <br>address, shall be deemed to be abandoned and may be turned over to the <br>nearest humane society or animal shelter or disposed of as the custodian may <br>deem proper.
(b) The giving of notice to the owner, or the agent of the owner of the animal by
the licensed veterinarian shall relieve the licensed veterinarian and any <br>custodian to whom the animal may be given of any further liability for <br>disposal.
(4) Abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claims by the
owner to the animal.
Effective: June 25, 2009 <br>History: Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 9, effective June 25, 2009. -- Amended
2004 Ky. Acts ch. 189, sec. 27, effective July 13, 2004. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts <br>ch. 114, sec. 56, effective July 15, 1980. -- Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 109, sec. 1. -<br>- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. <br>sec. 1246-2, 1246-3, 1246-4.
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