AN ACT relating to animals.
     Create a new section of KRS Chapter 258 to prohibit the use of gunshot as a method of euthanasia in animal control situation; amend various sections of KRS Chapter 258 to delete references to dog pounds and dog wardens and use the terms animal shelter and animal control officer; define "cat," "animal control officer," "ferret," "board," "euthanasia," "animal shelter," and "quarantine;" require dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies; require a dog to wear a rabies tag; allow a qualified person to vaccinate his own dog; allow a dog, cat, or ferret from out of state to not be vaccinated against rabies if the animal is already vaccinated and meets the rabies standards of Kentucky; allow, rather than require, local health departments to sponsor mass rabies immunization clinics; require the destruction and testing for rabies of a wild or exotic animal that has bitten a person; require an owner of an animal with rabies to be responsible for costs associated with any quarantine or rabies testing of that animal; allow a governmental agency to contract with other counties or entities to maintain an animal shelter; establish minimum standards for animal shelters; delete the requirement that all dogs be licensed and allow each county to establish its own licensing program; require all counties to meet the minimum standards established regarding animal shelters within two years of the effective date of this Act; allow animal control officers to impound dogs that do not bear a valid rabies tag; reduce the minimum holding period of impounded dogs from seven to five days; require proof of, or the purchase of, a valid rabies vaccination before an impounded dog, cat, or ferret may be reclaimed from a shelter; require the confinement of a vicious dog; prohibit a dog from violating local nuisance ordinances; require the owner of any dog, cat, or ferret that bites a person to be responsible for any damages resulting from the bite; amend KRS 436.605 to require agents of humane societies to be employed by or have a contract with a governing body before the agent can have the power of a peace officer in enforcing statutes relating to cruelty to animals; amend KRS 67.592, 212.625, 257.100, 321.181, and 436.610 to conform; make technical corrections; repeal KRS 258.025, 258.105, 258.115, 258.125, 258.145, 258.155, 258.165, 258.175, 258.185, 258.205, 258.275, 258.285, 258.295, 258.305, 258.325, 258.345, 258.355; and provide that funds remaining in the livestock fund be deposited in the animal control and care fund.

     Feb 23-introduced in Senate
     Feb 26-to Judiciary (S)