AN ACT relating to sterilization of dogs and cats.
     Create new sections of KRS 258 relating to dogs, to define dog, cat, adoption, releasing agency, and sterilization; require every new owner of a dog or cat adopted from a releasing agency to cause the dog or cat to be sterilized; prohibit a dog or cat from being released for adoption from a releasing agency unless the animal is already sterilized or the individual adopting the animal signs an agreement to have the animal sterilized by a licensed veterinarian; charge a civil penalty to anyone who violates the above provisions; require the agreement used by a releasing agency to contain descriptive information and a statement that sterilization of the dog or cat is required and that a person who violates the Act is subject to a civil penalty; require each new owner who signs a sterilization agreement, within seven days of sterilization of the animal, to send confirmation signed by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization; exempt an owner reclaiming his dog or cat from a releasing agency, a releasing agency located in an area that has adopted a more stringent mandatory sterilization ordinance, or a local governing body which has legally disposed of an animal by sale or gift to another government agency; allow a local governing body or releasing agency to charge the new owner a fee or deposit before releasing a dog or cat for adoption to ensure sterilization; allow any dog warden or the state veterinarian or his designee to bring a civil action for any violation of the Act which is subject to a civil penalty; allow any civil penalty assessed pursuant to the Act to be paid into the treasury of the city or county in which the civil action is brought and be used for the purpose of defraying the costs of local animal control, including efforts to promote sterilization of dogs and cats.

     Feb 2-introduced in House
     Feb 3-to Agriculture and Small Business (H)