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HF 391

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/06/2013 03:24pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.
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A bill for an act
relating to companion animals; adopting the Minnesota Companion Animal
Protection Act; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 346.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [346.60] TITLE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 346.60 to 346.71 shall be known as the "Minnesota Companion Animal
Protection Act."
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [346.61] DEFINITIONS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Scope. new text end

new text begin The definitions in this section apply to sections 346.60 to
346.71.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Animal. new text end

new text begin "Animal" means a living creature of a species normally kept
as a pet.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Dangerous dog. new text end

new text begin "Dangerous dog" means a dog adjudicated to be vicious
under section 347.50 by a court of competent jurisdiction after all appeals of that judicial
determination have been unsuccessful.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Healthy animal. new text end

new text begin "Healthy animal" means an animal that is not sick or
injured.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Impounded animal. new text end

new text begin "Impounded animal" means an animal that enters a
public or private sheltering agency or rescue group regardless of whether the animal is a
stray, owner-relinquished, seized, taken into protective custody, transferred from another
private or public sheltering agency, or is an animal whose owner requests that the animal
be killed, except for an animal presented to a medical clinic associated with such agencies
for purposes of preventative or rehabilitative medical care or sterilization.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Irremediably suffering animal. new text end

new text begin "Irremediably suffering animal" means
an animal with a medical condition that has a poor or grave prognosis for being able to
live without severe, unremitting pain as determined by a veterinarian licensed to practice
in this state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Non-rehabilitatable animal. new text end

new text begin "Non-rehabilitatable animal" means an
animal with severe illness or injury whose prognosis for rehabilitation is either poor or
grave as determined by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Private sheltering agency. new text end

new text begin "Private sheltering agency" means a shelter,
society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, humane society, or animal adoption group
designated as a nonprofit under section 501 (c)(3), of the Internal Revenue Code, that:
new text end

new text begin (1) does not receive public funding or has a contract with a city, town, or
municipality under which it accepts stray or owner-relinquished animals;
new text end

new text begin (2) accepts animals into a physical facility other than a private residence; and
new text end

new text begin (3) places into new homes stray or owner-relinquished animals or animals who have
been removed from a public or private sheltering agency.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Public sheltering agency. new text end

new text begin "Public sheltering agency" means a public
animal control shelter or private shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals,
humane society, or any person or group that receives funding or has a contract with a city,
town, or municipality under which it accepts stray or owner-relinquished animals.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end

new text begin Rescue group. new text end

new text begin "Rescue group" means a collaboration of individuals not
operated for a profit, whose primary stated purpose is animal adoption or animal rescue, or
which is formed for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Savable animal. new text end

new text begin "Savable animal" means any animal that is either
healthy or treatable and is not a dangerous dog.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Stray animal. new text end

new text begin "Stray animal" means an animal that is impounded without
a known owner present at impound who is voluntarily relinquishing custody.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end

new text begin Treatable animal. new text end

new text begin "Treatable animal" means an animal that is sick or
injured, whose prognosis for rehabilitation of that illness or injury is excellent, good, fair,
or guarded as determined by a veterinarian licensed to practice in this state.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Unweaned animal. new text end

new text begin "Unweaned animal" means a neonatal animal that,
in the absence of its mother, requires supplemental bottle feeding by humans in order to
survive. In the case of puppies and kittens, unweaned animals are animals that fit the
above description and are no more than four weeks of age.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end

new text begin Vicious dog. new text end

new text begin "Vicious dog" means a dog that exhibits aggression to
people even when the dog is not hungry, in pain, or frightened, and whose prognosis for
rehabilitation of that aggression is poor or grave as determined by a trained behaviorist
who is an expert on canine behavior.
new text end

Sec. 3.

new text begin [346.62] STRAY ANIMAL HOLDING PERIODS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The required holding period for a stray animal impounded by a public or private
sheltering agency is five business days, not including the day of impoundment, unless
otherwise provided in this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) Stray animals without any form of identification and without a known owner
must be held for owner redemption during the first two days of the holding period, not
including the day of impoundment, and must be available for owner redemption, transfer,
and adoption for the remainder of the holding period.
new text end

new text begin (c) Stray animals may be adopted into new homes or transferred to a rescue group or
private sheltering agency for the purpose of adoption after the first two days of the holding
period, not including the day of impoundment, except as provided in paragraphs (d) to (g).
new text end

new text begin (d) If a stray animal is impounded with a license tag, microchip, or other form of
identification, or belongs to a known owner, the animal must be held for owner redemption
during the first three days of the holding period, not including the day of impoundment,
and must be available for owner redemption, transfer, and adoption for the remainder of
the holding period.
new text end

new text begin (e) Stray animals may be transferred to a private sheltering agency or rescue group
immediately after impound, subject to the same rights of redemption by the owner.
new text end

new text begin (f) Irremediably suffering animals must be euthanized without delay, upon a
determination made in writing and signed by a veterinarian licensed to practice medicine
in this state. That certification must be made available for free public inspection for at
least three years.
new text end

new text begin (g) Unweaned animals impounded without their mother may be killed so long as
the shelter has exhausted efforts to place the animals in foster care, made an emergency
appeal under the requirements of section 346.65, and certified that it is unable to provide
the needed care and feeding in its facility. That certification must also state in clear and
definitive terms why the agency is unable to place the animals in foster care, which private
sheltering agencies and rescue groups it made an appeal to, what would be required in the
future in order to provide the needed care and feeding in foster care or its facility, what
steps are being taken to do so, and a reasonable time frame for doing so. This certification
must be made in writing, signed by the director of the agency or by a veterinarian licensed
to practice medicine in the state, and be made available for free public inspection for
at least three years.
new text end

Sec. 4.

new text begin [346.63] HOLDING PERIOD; OWNER-RELINQUISHED ANIMAL.
new text end

new text begin The required holding period for an owner-relinquished animal impounded by a
public or private sheltering agency is three days, not including the day of impoundment,
with the same duties as those owed to stray animals, except as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) any owner-relinquished animal that is impounded must be held in the event of a
change of mind by the owner, for adoption into a new home, and for transfer to a private
sheltering agency or rescue group for the entirety of the holding period; and
new text end

new text begin (2) owner-relinquished animals may be adopted into new homes or transferred to a
private sheltering agency or rescue group at any time after impoundment.
new text end

Sec. 5.

new text begin [346.64] ANIMAL CARE STANDARDS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, public and private sheltering
agencies must provide all animals during the entirety of their shelter stay with fresh food,
fresh water, environmental enrichment to promote their psychological well-being such
as socialization, toys and treats, and exercise as needed, but never less than once daily,
except that vicious dogs, unsocial cats, or dangerous dogs are not required to be exercised
during the holding period.
new text end

new text begin (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), public and private sheltering agencies must work
with a veterinarian licensed to practice medicine in this state to develop and follow a
care protocol that is for animals with special needs such as, but not limited to, nursing
mothers, unweaned animals, sick or injured animals, geriatric animals, or animals needing
therapeutic exercise. This care protocol must specify any deviation from the standard
requirements of paragraph (a) and the reasons for the deviation.
new text end

new text begin (c) During the entirety of their shelter stay, animals must be provided prompt and
necessary cleaning of their cages, kennels, or other living environments no less than two
times per day, to ensure environments that are welcoming to the public, hygienic for
both the public and animals, and to prevent disease. This cleaning must be conducted
in accordance with a protocol developed in coordination with a veterinarian licensed
to practice medicine in this state, provided that animals must be temporarily removed
from their cages, kennels, or other living environments during the process of cleaning,
to prevent them from being exposed to water from hoses or sprays, cleaning solutions,
detergents, solvents, and chemicals.
new text end

new text begin (d) During the entirety of their shelter stay, all animals must be provided with prompt
and necessary veterinary care, including but not limited to preventative vaccinations,
cage rest, fluid therapy, pain management, and antibiotics, sufficient to alleviate any pain
caused by disease or injury, to prevent a condition from worsening, and to allow them
to leave the shelter in reasonable condition, even if the animals are not candidates for
redemption, transfer, or adoption.
new text end

new text begin (e) Public and private sheltering agencies must work with a veterinarian licensed
to practice medicine in this state to develop and follow a protocol to prevent the spread
of disease, including, but not limited to, appropriate evaluation and testing of newly
impounded animals, administration of vaccines, proper isolation and handling of sick
animals, and measures to protect those animals most vulnerable to infection.
new text end

Sec. 6.

new text begin [346.65] ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS AND DUTIES.
new text end

new text begin (a) All public and private sheltering agencies that kill animals must maintain a
registry of organizations willing to accept animals as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) public or private sheltering agencies, and rescue groups designated as nonprofits
by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, must be immediately placed on this
registry upon their request, regardless of the organizations' geographical location or any
other factor listed in clause (5);
new text end

new text begin (2) the public or private sheltering agency may, but is not required to, include on
the registry any individual rescuers or rescue groups that are not designated as nonprofits
under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
new text end

new text begin (3) the registry must include the following information as provided by the registered
organization: organization name, mailing address, and telephone number; Web site and
email address, if any; emergency contact information for the organization; the types of
animals about which the organization wishes to be contacted, including species and breed;
and whether or not the organization is willing and able to care for unweaned animals, sick
or injured animals, or aggressive animals;
new text end

new text begin (4) a public or private sheltering agency may refuse to include an organization on
the registry or delete it from the registry until such time as this is no longer the case, if any
of the organization's current directors, officers, staff or volunteers have been convicted in
a court of competent jurisdiction of a crime consisting of cruelty to animals or neglect
of animals; if such charges are pending; or if that organization is constrained by a court
order that prevents the organization from taking in or keeping animals. An agency may
require an organization to disclose any or all convictions, charges, and legal impediments
described in this clause;
new text end

new text begin (5) a public or private sheltering agency may require that registered organizations
provide the following summary information on no more than a monthly basis: the total
number of animals the organization has taken from the agency who have been adopted, died,
were transferred, were killed, and are still under the organization's care, which information
may be provided in an informal format, such as via electronic communication; and
new text end

new text begin (6) a public or private sheltering agency may not demand additional information,
other than that described in this section, as a prerequisite for including an organization on
the registry or for continuing to maintain that organization on the registry.
new text end

new text begin (b) No public or private sheltering agency may kill an animal unless and until the
agency has notified, or made a reasonable attempt to notify, all organizations on the
registry described in paragraph (a) that have indicated a willingness to take an animal of
that type. The notification must take place at least 24 hours prior to the killing of the
animal. At a minimum, the notification must include verifiable electronic communication.
Notification is considered complete as to each individual group when this has been
accomplished. No animal may be killed if an organization on the registry indicates, before
the killing of the animal, its willingness to take possession of the animal. The organization
agreeing to take possession of the animal must do so within two business days after
notifying the agency having possession of the animal. No fee may be assessed for animals
released to organizations listed on the registry.
new text end

new text begin (c) The following exceptions apply to the requirements of paragraph (b):
new text end

new text begin (1) irremediably suffering animals which must be euthanized without delay. The
determination that an animal is irremediably suffering must be made in writing, signed
by a veterinarian licensed to practice medicine in this state, and made available for free
public inspection for at least three years;
new text end

new text begin (2) dangerous dogs pursuant to section 347.50; and
new text end

new text begin (3) unweaned animals impounded without their mother, for which all public and
private sheltering agencies that have not placed the animals into foster care or are not
able to provide supplemental feeding must immediately make an emergency appeal to
organizations on the registry that have indicated that they are willing and able to care for
unweaned animals, and give those organizations a reasonable amount of time, but not less
than eight hours, to respond to the appeal.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [346.66] IDENTIFICATION.
new text end

new text begin Public and private sheltering agencies must take appropriate action to ensure that
all animals are checked for all currently acceptable methods of identification, including
microchips, identification tags, and licenses. Public and private sheltering agencies must
maintain continuously updated lists of animals reported lost and match these lost reports
with animals reported found and animals in the shelter. The agencies must also post
notice of all stray animals on the Internet with sufficient detail and a photograph within 24
hours of being impounded to allow them to be recognized and claimed by their owners.
If a possible owner is identified, the agency must undertake reasonable efforts to notify
the owner or caretaker of the whereabouts of the animal and any procedures available for
the lawful recovery of the animal. These efforts must include, but are not limited to,
notifying the possible owner by telephone, mail, and personal service to the last known
address. Upon the owner's or caretaker's initiation of recovery procedures, the agencies
must retain custody of the animal for not less than the holding period to allow for the
completion of the recovery process. Efforts to locate or contact an owner or caretaker and
communications with persons claiming to be owners or caretakers must be recorded and
be made available for free public inspection for at least three years.
new text end

Sec. 8.

new text begin [346.67] ADOPTION OR TRANSFER CRITERIA.
new text end

new text begin No public or private sheltering agency shall ban, bar, limit, or otherwise obstruct the
adoption or transfer of any animal based on arbitrary criteria, such as breed, age, color, or
any other criteria except as to the individual animal's medical condition and aggression
or the adopter's fitness to adopt.
new text end

Sec. 9.

new text begin [346.68] KILLING ANIMALS.
new text end

new text begin (a) No savable animal in a public or private sheltering agency may be killed simply
because the holding period has expired. Before an animal is killed, all of the following
conditions must be met:
new text end

new text begin (1) there are no empty cages, kennels, or other living environments in the shelter;
new text end

new text begin (2) the animal cannot share a cage or kennel with another animal because the animal
is aggressive to other animals, has a contagious illness the other animal does not have, or
is injured and sharing the cage with another animal will aggravate the injury;
new text end

new text begin (3) a foster home is not available;
new text end

new text begin (4) organizations listed on the registry described in section 346.65 are not willing to
accept the animal;
new text end

new text begin (5) all mandates, programs, and services of sections 346.60 to 346.71 have been
met; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the director of the agency certifies there is no alternative.
new text end

new text begin (b) The determination that all conditions of paragraph (a) have been met must be
made in writing, signed by the director of the agency, and be made available for free
public inspection for at least three years.
new text end

Sec. 10.

new text begin [346.69] METHOD OF KILLING.
new text end

new text begin (a) Animals impounded by a public or private sheltering agency or rescue group may
be killed, only when necessary and consistent with the requirements of sections 346.60 to
346.71, by lethal intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital, except as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) intraperitoneal injections may be used only under the direction of a licensed
veterinarian and only when intravenous injection is not possible for infant animals,
companion animals other than cats and dogs, or comatose animals with depressed vascular
function; and
new text end

new text begin (2) intracardiac injections may be used only when intravenous injection is not
possible for animals that are completely unconscious or comatose or for exotic animals
such as rats after proper sedation, and then only under the direction of a veterinarian.
new text end

new text begin (b) No animal may be allowed to witness another animal being killed or being
tranquilized or sedated for the purpose of being killed or see the bodies of animals that
have been killed.
new text end

new text begin (c) Animals may be sedated or tranquilized as necessary to minimize their stress
or discomfort or, in the case of vicious animals, to ensure staff safety, except that
neuromuscular blocking agents must not be used.
new text end

new text begin (d) Following their injection, animals must be lowered to the surface on which they
are being held and not be permitted to drop or otherwise collapse without support.
new text end

new text begin (e) An animal may not be left unattended between the time procedures to kill the
animal are commenced and the time death occurs, nor may the body be disposed of until
death is verified.
new text end

new text begin (f) Verification of death must be confirmed for each animal in all of the following
ways:
new text end

new text begin (1) by lack of heartbeat, verified by stethoscope;
new text end

new text begin (2) by lack of respiration, verified by observation;
new text end

new text begin (3) by pale, bluish gums and tongue, verified by observation; and
new text end

new text begin (4) by lack of eye response, verified if lid does not blink when eye is touched and
pupil remains dilated when a light is shined on it.
new text end

new text begin (g) The room in which animals are killed must be cleaned and regularly disinfected
as necessary, but no less than once per day on days the room is used, except that the area
where the procedure is performed must be cleaned and disinfected between each procedure.
new text end

new text begin (h) The room in which animals are killed must have adequate ventilation that
prevents the accumulation of odors.
new text end

new text begin (i) A veterinarian licensed to practice medicine in this state or a euthanasia technician
certified by the state certification program must perform the procedures in this section,
except that if a state certification program does not exist, the procedure may be performed
by a trained euthanasia technician working under the direction of a veterinarian.
new text end

Sec. 11.

new text begin [346.70] PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.
new text end

new text begin (a) A public or private sheltering agency must post, in a conspicuous place where
animals are being relinquished by owners, a sign that is clearly visible and readable from
any vantage point in the area that has all of the following information identified by species
and type:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of animals impounded during the prior calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of animals impounded during the prior calendar year that were
adopted;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of animals impounded during the prior calendar year that were
transferred to other agencies;
new text end

new text begin (4) the number of animals impounded during the prior calendar year that were
reclaimed by their owners;
new text end

new text begin (5) the number of animals impounded during the prior calendar year that died, were
lost, or were stolen while under the direct or constructive care of the agency; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the number of animals that were impounded during the prior calendar year that
were killed by the agency, at the agency's discretion, with the agency's permission, or
by a representative of the agency.
new text end

new text begin (b) A public or private sheltering agency must provide a monthly summary for free
public inspection on request that includes the following information by species and type:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of animals impounded during the previous month;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of animals that were killed by the agency, at the agency's direction,
with the agency's permission, or by a representative of the agency during the previous
month;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of animals that died, were lost, or were stolen while in the direct or
constructive care of the agency during the previous month;
new text end

new text begin (4) the number of animals that were returned to their owners during the previous
month;
new text end

new text begin (5) the number of animals that were adopted during the previous month; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the number of animals that were transferred to other organizations during the
previous month.
new text end

new text begin (c) A public or private sheltering agency must provide an annual summary for free
public inspection upon request that includes the following information by species and type:
new text end

new text begin (1) the number of animals impounded during the previous calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (2) the number of animals that were killed by the agency, at the agency's direction,
with the agency's permission, or by a representative of the agency during the previous
calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (3) the number of animals that died, were lost or were stolen while in the direct or
constructive care of such agency during the previous calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (4) the number of animals that were returned to their owners during the previous
calendar year;
new text end

new text begin (5) the number of animals that were adopted during the previous calendar year; and
new text end

new text begin (6) the number of animals that were transferred to other organizations during the
previous calendar year.
new text end

Sec. 12.

new text begin [346.71] ENFORCEMENT.
new text end

new text begin A public or private sheltering agency or rescue group may compel a public or
private sheltering agency to comply with sections 346.60 to 346.71 through an action for
declaratory and injunctive relief or other appropriate remedies at law that will compel
compliance.
new text end

Sec. 13. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 12 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end