47-835. Abandonment of animals; notice to owner; relief from liability for disposal; "abandoned" defined.
47-835
47-835. Abandonment of animals; notice to owner; relief from liabilityfor disposal; "abandoned" defined.(a) Any animal placed in the custody of a licensed veterinarian fortreatment, boarding or other care, which shall be unclaimed by its owneror its owner's agent for a period of more than ten (10) days after writtennotice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, isgiven the owner or the owner's agent at such person'slast known address, shall be deemedto be abandoned and may be turned over to the nearest humane society, ordog pound or disposed of as the custodian may deem proper.
(b) The giving of notice to the owner, or the agent of the owner, ofsuch animal by the licensed veterinarian, as provided in subsection (a)of this section, shall relieve the licensed veterinarian and anycustodian to whom such animal may be given of any further liability fordisposal. Such procedure by a licensed veterinarian shall not constitutegrounds for disciplining procedure under this act.
(c) For the purpose of this act, the term "abandoned" shall mean toforsake entirely, or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform thelegal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner, orits owner's agent. Such abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of allrights and claims by the owner to such animal.
History: L. 1969, ch. 261, § 22; L. 1980, ch. 155, § 17; July 1.