Environment Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE QUARANTINE OF BITING GUIDE DOGS
SUMMARY: The law authorizes an animal control officer to quarantine or otherwise restrain or dispose of an animal that bites someone. If a person fails to comply with a quarantine or restraining order, the officer may seize the animal.
This act exempts certain guide dogs from these provisions. To be exempt, the guide dog must be (1) owned by or in the custody and control of a blind person or person with mobility impairment; (2) under the direct supervision, care, and control of the person; (3) currently vaccinated; and (4) receiving routine veterinary care.
Under prior law, police dogs were exempt from the quarantine and seizure provisions if they were (1) under the direct supervision, care, and control, of an assigned police officer; (2) receiving routine veterinary care; and (3) annually vaccinated. The act changes the third criterion from annually to currently vaccinated.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2011
OLR Tracking: JLK: TA: PF: ro