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2025 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 17 - Occupations
Chapter 686 - Veterinarians; Veterinary Technicians
Section 686.440 - Immunity from civil liability for emergency treatment.

Universal Citation:
OR Rev Stat § 686.440 (2025)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
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(1) A veterinarian or veterinary technician is not civilly liable for the acts or omissions described in subsection (2) of this section if:

(a) The animal has been brought to the veterinarian or veterinary technician by a person other than the owner of the animal; and

(b) The veterinarian or veterinary technician does not know who owns the animal or is unable to contact an owner of the animal before a decision must be made with respect to emergency treatment or euthanasia.

(2) The immunity granted by this section applies to:

(a) Any injury to an animal or death of an animal that results from acts or omissions of the veterinarian or veterinary technician in providing treatment to the animal; and

(b) The euthanasia of a seriously injured or seriously ill animal.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, this section does not apply to any act or omission of a veterinarian or veterinary technician that constitutes gross negligence in providing treatment to an animal.

(4) A veterinarian is completely immune from any civil liability for the decision to euthanize an animal under the circumstances described in subsection (1) of this section. [1997 c.243 §2]

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