These Connecticut statutes comprise the state's dog law. Among the provisions include licensing, kennel, and rabies regulations. With regard to damage by dogs, the law provides a form of strict liability that states if any dog does any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper shall be liable for such damage, except when such damage has been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. The law also contains a unique "dogs on highway" provision that provides that any person owning or having the custody of any dog which habitually goes out on any highway and growls, bites, or snaps at, or otherwise annoys, any person or domestic animal lawfully using such highway or chases or interferes with any motor vehicle so using such highway, shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor. Further, among the nuisance provisions, the law states that no person shall own or harbor a dog which is a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition or excessive barking or other disturbance. These laws also contain provisions on reporting neglected or cruelly treated animals. Finally, Connecticut has an anti-ear cropping measures that prohibits cropping by anyone who is not a registered veterinary surgeon, and who performs the operation when the dog is under an anesthetic.
Links on Other Pages:
Link to Spay/Neuter Provisions
Link to Anti-cruelty/Animal Fighting Laws
Title 10a. State System of Higher Education. Chapter 185B. Constituent Units. Part V. Miscellaneous. § 10a-150e. Offering for adoption of cat or dog used for conducting research or testing.
Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline. Chapter 248. Vehicle Highway Use. § 14-272b. Transport of dogs in pick-up trucks. Restrictions.
Title 20. Professional and Occupational Licensing, Certification, Title Protection and Registration. Examining Boards. Chapter 384. Veterinary Medicine. § 20-205b. Euthanization of cat or dog by licensed veterinarian. Exceptions. Penalty. Defense.
Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline. Chapter 248. Vehicle Highway Use
§ 14-226. Operator to report injury to dog
General Provisions:
Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops.
§ 22-327 . Definitions
§ 22-327a . Omitted in Gen.St., Rev. to 1972
§ 22-328 . Enforcement. Animal control officers. Expenses
Cruelty and Neglect:
§ 22-329 . Prevention of cruelty to dogs and other animals
§ 22-329a . Seizure and custody of neglected or cruelly treated animals. Vesting of ownership of animal. Animal abuse cost recovery account
§ 22-329b . Reporting of neglected or cruelly treated animals
§ 22-329c. Law enforcement officer's or animal control officer's authority to take possession of sexually assaulted animal
§ 22-330 . Authority of officers issuing summons
§ 22-331 . Municipal animal control officers. Assistants
Impoundment Provisions:
§ 22-331a . Regional animal control officers. Pounds
§ 22-332 . Impoundment and disposition of roaming, injured or mistreated animals. Authority to spay or neuter unclaimed dog. Liability for provision of veterinary care to injured, sick or diseased impounded animal
§ 22-332a . Use of dogs for medical research restricted
§ 22-332b . License for use of dogs
§ 22-332c . Penalty
§ 22-332d . Impoundment and disposition of certain cats. Authority to spay or neuter unclaimed cat
§ 22-332e. Regional or municipal dog pound contract with animal rescue organization for veterinary treatment of injured, sick or diseased animal. Contract requirements. Department of Agriculture complaint. Maintenance of list of animal rescue organizations
§ 22-333 . Redemption of impounded dog, cat or other animal
§ 22-334 . Municipal animal control officer's fees
§ 22-335 . Removal of municipal animal control officer. Complaint against municipal animal control officer
§ 22-336 . Towns to provide pounds or other suitable facilities. Regulations. Enforcement
§ 22-336a. Municipal or regional dog pounds. Standards. Enforcement
Licensing:
§ 22-337 . Notice of licensing requirements
§ 22-338 . Licensing of dogs. Fees. Penalties. Rabies certificate. Exemptions
§ 22-339 . Licensing of dogs which are six months of age or older by new owners. Fees
§ 22-339a . Town clerks may deputize agents for the issuance of licenses. Licensing of dogs acquired from dog pounds. Fees. Rabies certificate
Rabies and Other Vaccination Requirements:
§ 22-339b . Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats. Exemption from rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination exemption certificate. Veterinarian appeal. Penalty
§ 22-339c . Certificate of rabies vaccination
§ 22-339d . Municipal control of feral cats
§ 22-340 . Town clerk to provide licenses and tags
§ 22-341 . Tag or plate to be attached to dog collar or harness. Cost
Kennel & Pet Shop Provisions:
§ 22-342 . Kennel licenses. Certain breeders to be licensed. Inspection of kennel facilities. Penalties
§ 22-343 . Temporary placing of dog
§ 22-344 . Licensing of commercial kennel, pet shop, training facility or grooming facility. Advertising by commercial kennels. Registration of animal importer. Fees. Humane treatment of animals. Registration of animal shelters. Inspection. Fines. Conformance to zoning regulations
§ 22-344a . Euthanasia of animals by pet shops
§ 22-344b . Pet shop required to have dogs and cats examined by veterinarian. Replacement or refund. Penalty
§ 22-344c . Licensure of breeding facilities by towns - § 22-344c. Repealed. (2023, P.A. 23-17, § 13, eff. June 7, 2023.)
§ 22-344d . Signs required in pet shops selling dogs. Penalty
§ 22-344e . License required for procurement of dog or cat for resale. Penalty
§ 22-344f. Veterinarian examination of cat or dog imported into state by animal importer. Records of veterinary services rendered to imported cat or dog. Fines
Assistance Animals:
§ 22-345 . License and tag for service animals for persons with a disability
§§ 22-345a, 22-345b . Transferred to C.G.S.A. §§ 46a-42, 46a-43 in Gen.St., Rev. to 1991
§ 22-346 . Repealed. (1963, P.A. 641, § 2).
§ 22-346a . Transferred to C.G.S.A. § 46a-44 in Gen.St., Rev. to 1991
License Fees:
§ 22-347 . Use of license fees
§ 22-348 . Allocation of license fees to The University of Connecticut. Balance to towns - § 22-348. Repealed. (2023, P.A. 23-17, § 13, eff. June 7, 2023.)
§ 22-349 . Unlicensed dogs. Regulations. Impoundment
Dogs as Property:
§ 22-350 . Dogs as personal property. Tax exemption. Theft
Tethering, Theft, and Unlawful Killing:
§ 22-350a . Tethering dog to stationary object or mobile device. Prohibited means. Retention of other protections afforded dogs. Confining or tethering dog for unreasonable period of time. Fines
§ 22-351 . Theft, killing or injury of companion animal. Penalty. Liability
§ 22-351a . Liability for intentionally killing or injuring companion animal
Importation of Dogs:
§ 22-352 . Change of residence of owner
§ 22-353 . Repealed. (1997, P.A. 97-234, § 11.)
§ 22-354 . Imported dogs and cats. Certificates of health. Importation from rabies quarantine area. Sale of young puppies and kittens. Sale of dogs by pet shop licensees. Certificate of origin required. Purchase of dog or cat from outside of state. Penalties
§ 22-354a. Payment contracts and lease agreements for ownership of dogs or cats. Voided. Ownership of affected dog or cat. Exemptions
Damage Done by Dogs to People or Other Animals:
§ 22-355 . Damage by dogs to domestic animals
§ 22-356 . Damage by two or more dogs
§ 22-357 . Damage by dogs to person or property
§ 22-358 . Killing of dogs doing damage. Restraint or disposal orders. Notice. Seizure. Euthanasia and examination of potentially rabid animals. Complaints by persons sustaining damage by dog to poultry, ratite, domestic rabbit, companion animal or livestock. Orders. Appeals
Rabies Control:
§ 22-359 . Control of rabies. Regulations
§ 22-359a . Clinic for vaccination against rabies
§ 22-359b . Rabies vaccine
§§ 22-359c, 22-359d . Repealed. (1991, P.A. 91-46, § 11, eff. April 12, 1991.)
§ 22-359e . Tags and certificates indicating rabies vaccination
§ 22-359f. Request for reduction of quarantine period after potential rabies exposure of animal
§ 22-360 . Repealed. (1985, P.A. 85-145, § 2.)
§ 22-361 . Repealed. (1963, P.A. 613, § 34.)
Nuisance Provisions:
§ 22-362 . Annoyance by dogs on highway
§ 22-363 . Nuisance
§ 22-364 . Dogs roaming at large. Intentional or reckless subsequent violation
§ 22-364a . Intentional or reckless release of domestic animal which causes damage
§ 22-364b . Control of dogs in proximity to guide dogs
§ 22-365 . Obstruction of commissioner or any animal control officer. Penalty
Cropping Provision:
§ 22-366 . Cropping of dog's ears
General Enforcement Provisions:
§ 22-367 . General penalty. Enforcement
§ 22-367a . Regulations
§§ 22-368 to 22-380. Repealed. (2000, P.A. 00-92, § 16.)
Wildlife Provisions:
Title 26. Fisheries and Game. Chapter 490. Fisheries and Game.
Part III. Licenses and Permits
§ 26-39 Hunting licenses for owners of packs of dogs
§ 26-49. Training of hunting dogs. Permits for liberation of artificially propagated birds
§ 26-51. Permits for field dog trials. Fee
§ 26-52. Permits for shooting birds liberated at field dog trials. Fees
Part VII. Fish and Game Refuges
§ 26-107 . Hunting and trapping on wildlife refuge or closed area
Title 14. Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline. Chapter 248. Vehicle Highway Use
§ 14-226. Operator to report injury to dog
Any person who has knowledge of causing, by the operation of a motor vehicle, injury or death to a dog shall at once stop and render such assistance as may be possible, shall immediately report such injury or death to such dog's owner or such owner's representative and shall give his name, address and operator's license and registration numbers to such owner or representative or any witness or peace officer. If unable to ascertain and locate such owner or representative, such operator shall, at once, report the injury or death to a police officer, constable, state police officer or inspector of motor vehicles, to whom he shall give the location of such accident and a description of the dog. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction. No operator shall be convicted under the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 14-224 when such operator has caused injury or death to a dog.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 2411; 1975, P.A. 75-577, § 71, eff. Nov. 1, 1975; 1988, P.A. 88-364, § 25, eff. June 8, 1988; 2014, P.A. 14-130, § 32.)
Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals. Chapter 435. Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Animal” means any brute creature, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, monkeys, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, birds and reptiles;
(2) “Chief Animal Control Officer”, “Assistant Chief Animal Control Officer” and “animal control officer” mean, respectively, the Chief State Animal Control Officer, the Assistant Chief State Animal Control Officer and a state animal control officer appointed under section 22-328;
(3) “Commercial kennel” means a place maintained for boarding or grooming dogs or cats, and includes, but is not limited to, any veterinary hospital which boards or grooms dogs or cats for nonmedical purposes;
(4) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Agriculture;
(5) “Grooming facility” means any place, including any vehicle or trailer, that is maintained as a business where dogs are groomed;
(6) “Keeper” means any person, other than the owner, harboring or having in his possession any dog;
(7) “Kennel” means one pack or collection of dogs which are kept under one ownership at a single location and are bred for show, sport or sale;
(8) “Municipal animal control officer” means any such officer appointed under the provisions of section 22-331;
(9) “Pet shop” means any place at which animals not born and raised on the premises are kept for the purpose of sale to the public;
(10) “Poultry” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-326s;
(11) “Training facility” means any place that is maintained as a business where dogs are trained;
(12) “Service animal” has the same meaning as provided in 28 CFR 35.104 and includes any animal in training to become a service animal.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3374; 1949, Supp. § 709b; 1953, Supp. §§ 1370c, 1812d; 1959, P.A. 637, § 2; 1961, P.A. 67; 1963, P.A. 613, § 1; 1969, P.A. 81, § 1; 1969, P.A. 423, § 1; 1971, P.A. 872, § 446; 1972, P.A. 180, § 1; 1977, P.A. 77-314, § 1; 1982 P.A. 82-91, § 14, eff. July 1, 1982; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 10, eff. April 12, 1991; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 1; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 29, eff. June 28, 1993; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 3, eff. July 1, 1998; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004; 2019, P.A. 19-156, § 1, eff. July 9, 2019; 2021, P.A. 21-90, §§ 1, 2, eff. June 28, 2021; 2024, P.A. 24-69, § 1, eff. May 30, 2024.)
§ 22-327a. Omitted in Gen.St., Rev. to 1972
§ 22-328. Enforcement. Animal control officers. Expenses
(a) The commissioner is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter and chapters 436[FN1] and 436a[FN2] and the regulations adopted thereunder in accordance with the provisions of such chapters and chapter 54.[FN3]
(b) The commissioner shall appoint, as provided by chapter 67:[FN4] (1) A Chief State Animal Control Officer; (2) an Assistant Chief State Animal Control Officer, who shall perform all the duties of the Chief State Animal Control Officer in such officer's absence or inability, or at such officer's direction; and (3) not more than twelve state animal control officers and as many regional animal control officers and assistants as may be deemed necessary to insure, subject to the commissioner's direction, the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and chapters 436 and 436a and the enforcement of regulations adopted by the commissioner. The expenses incurred in the administration of this chapter and chapters 436 and 436a shall be paid from dog funds in the custody of the State Treasurer which have been received from the several municipalities and from the commissioner for the same fiscal year as the expenses are incurred.
(c) No person may begin serving in the position of state, regional or municipal animal control officer on or after July 1, 2012, unless such person (1) has completed a training program that meets the requirements of subsection (d) of this section and received a certificate of such completion from the commissioner pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, or (2) submits an affidavit to the commissioner agreeing to complete such a training program not later than one year after beginning such position. The commissioner shall reimburse each person completing such a training program for the costs of the program, from the animal population control account established in section 22-380g.
(d) Not later than July 1, 2012, the commissioner shall prescribe the standards and curriculum for a training program for persons interested in serving in the position of animal control officer or appointed on or after July 1, 2012, to such position. Such training program shall consist of eighty or more hours of instruction. The curriculum for such program shall include the following topics:
(1) Animal identification;
(2) State laws governing animal control and protection and animal cruelty;
(3) Animal health and disease recognition, control and prevention;
(4) The humane care and treatment of animals;
(5) Standards for care and control of animals in an animal shelter;
(6) Standards and procedures for the transportation of animals;
(7) Principles and procedures for capturing and handling stray domestic animals and wildlife, including principles and procedures to be followed with respect to an instrument used specifically for deterring the bite of an animal;
(8) First aid for injured animals;
(9) Documentation of animal cruelty evidence and courtroom procedures;
(10) Animal shelter operations and administration;
(11) Spaying and neutering, microchipping and adoption;
(12) Communications and public relations;
(13) Search warrants and affidavits;
(14) Civil liability for the animal control officer;
(15) Crisis intervention and officer safety; and
(16) Any other topics pertinent to animal control and animal shelter personnel.
(e) Upon satisfactorily completing such training program, a person shall submit evidence of such completion to the commissioner, and the commissioner shall issue a certificate to such person. The certificate shall contain the person's name, the name of the training program and the date of completion. The commissioner may charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of issuance of such certificate. The commissioner shall maintain records to document compliance with subsection (c) of this section.
(f) Each animal control officer shall complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education related to the duties of an animal control officer in each calendar year. The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the implementation of such continuing education requirement.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3375; 1953, Supp. § 1371c; 1955, Supp. § 1813d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 2; 1965, Feb. Sp.Sess., P.A. 143, § 1, eff. June 7, 1965; 1969, P.A. 81, § 2; 1982, P.A. 82-119, § 1; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 30, eff. June 28, 1993; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 4, eff. July 1, 1998; 2012, P.A. 12-108, § 2, eff. June 8, 2012.)
[FN1] C.G.S.A. § 22-368 et seq.
[FN2] C.G.S.A. § 22-380a et seq.
[FN3] C.G.S.A. § 4-166 et seq.
[FN4] C.G.S.A. § 5-193 et seq.
§ 22-329. Prevention of cruelty to dogs and other animals
Any animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, or any law enforcement officer may interfere to prevent any act of cruelty upon any dog or other animal, and any person who interferes with or obstructs or resists any such officer in the discharge of such duty shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3376; 1953, Supp. §§ 1372c, 1814d; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 2; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 31, eff. June 28, 1993; 1995, P.A. 95-358, § 1; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 5, eff. July 1, 1998; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 78; 2021, P.A. 21-90, § 3, eff. June 28, 2021.)
§ 22-329a. Seizure and custody of neglected or cruelly treated animals. Vesting of ownership of animal. Animal abuse cost recovery account
(a) Any animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal when such animal control officer has reasonable cause to believe that such animal is in imminent harm and is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251, 53-252 or 53a-73b, and, not later than ninety-six hours after taking physical custody, shall proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section, except that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State Veterinarian, at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken, such animal is so injured or diseased that it should be euthanized immediately, such officer may have such animal humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(b) Any animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, may take physical custody of any animal upon issuance of a warrant finding probable cause that such animal is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251, 53-252 or 53a-73b, and shall thereupon proceed as provided in subsection (c) of this section except that if, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian or the State Veterinarian, at any time after physical custody of such animal is taken, such animal is so injured or diseased that it should be euthanized immediately, such officer may have such animal humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(c) Such officer shall file with the superior court which has venue over such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford at Hartford a verified petition plainly stating such facts of neglect or cruel treatment as to bring such animal within the jurisdiction of the court and praying for appropriate action by the court in accordance with the provisions of this section. Upon the filing of such petition, the court shall cause a summons to be issued requiring the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to appear in court at the time and place named.
(d) If physical custody of an animal has been taken pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section and it appears from the allegations of the petition filed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and other affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided subsequent thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the animal's condition or the circumstances surrounding its care require that temporary care and custody be immediately assumed to safeguard its welfare, the court shall either (1) issue an order to show cause why the court should not vest in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care and custody pending a hearing on the petition, or (2) issue an order vesting in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care and custody pending a hearing on the petition. A hearing on the order issued by the court pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be held not later than fourteen days after the issuance of such order. The service of such order may be made by any officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of such hearing. If the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the animal is not known, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper having a circulation in the town in which such officer took physical custody of such animal not less than forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of such hearing.
(e) If physical custody of an animal has not been taken pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section, and such officer has reasonable cause to believe that an animal is neglected or is cruelly treated in violation of section 22-366, 22-415, 53-247, 53-248, 53-249, 53-249a, 53-250, 53-251, 53-252 or 53a-73b, such officer may file a petition with the superior court which has venue over such matter or with the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford at Hartford, plainly stating such facts of neglect or cruel treatment as to bring the animal within the jurisdiction of the court and praying for appropriate action by the court to ensure the welfare of the animal, including, but not limited to, physical removal and temporary care and custody of the animal, an order to compel the owner of any such animal to provide care in a manner that the court determines is necessary, authorization of an animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, or a licensed veterinarian to provide care for the animal on site, vesting of ownership of the animal, the posting of a bond in accordance with subsection (f) of this section and the assessment of costs in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. Upon the filing of such petition, the court shall cause a summons for an order to show cause to be issued requiring the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the animal, if known, to appear in court at the time and place named. If the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the animal is not known, notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given by publication in a newspaper having a circulation in the town where the animal is located not less than forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of the hearing. If it appears from the allegations of the petition filed pursuant to this subsection and other affirmations of fact accompanying the petition, or provided subsequent thereto, that there is reasonable cause to find that the animal's condition or the circumstances surrounding its care require the immediate removal of the animal from the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the animal to safeguard its welfare, the court shall issue an order vesting in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency or person the animal's temporary care and custody pending a hearing on the petition which hearing shall be held not later than ten days after the issuance of such order for such temporary care and custody. The service of such order may be made by any officer authorized by law to serve process, state police officer or indifferent person and shall be served not less than forty-eight hours prior to the date and time of such hearing.
(f) If the court issues an order vesting the animal's temporary care and custody in some suitable state, municipal or other public or private agency or person, the owner or owners shall either relinquish ownership of the animal or post a cash bond with the agency or person in whom the animal's temporary care and custody was vested or with such agency's counsel of record in the case. The cash bond shall be in the amount of one thousand dollars for each animal placed in the temporary care or custody of such agency or person and shall secure payment for the reasonable expenses of the agency or person having temporary care and custody of the animal in caring and providing for such animal until the court makes a finding as to the animal's disposition under subsection (g) of this section. The requirement that a bond be posted may be waived if such owner provides satisfactory evidence that such owner is indigent and unable to pay for such bond.
(g) (1) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is neglected or cruelly treated, it shall vest ownership of the animal in any state, municipal or other public or private agency which is permitted by law to care for neglected or cruelly treated animals or with any person found to be suitable or worthy of such responsibility by the court.
(2) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is so injured or diseased that it should be humanely euthanized, the court may order that such animal be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian.
(3) If, after hearing, the court finds that the animal is not neglected or cruelly treated, it may cause the animal to be returned to its owner or owners or person having responsibility for its care or, if such owner or owners or person is unknown or unwilling to resume caring for such animal, it may vest ownership of the animal in any state, municipal or other public or private agency or person found to be suitable or worthy of such responsibility.
(4) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection less than thirty days after the issuance of an order of temporary care and custody and the owner of the animal has posted a bond, the agency or person with whom the bond was posted shall return the balance of such bond, if any, to the owner. The amount of the bond to be returned to the owner shall be calculated at the rate of twenty dollars per day per animal or thirty dollars per day per animal if the animal is a horse or other large livestock for the number of days less than thirty that such agency or person has not had temporary care and custody of the animal less any veterinary costs and expenses incurred for the welfare of the animal.
(5) If the court makes a finding under subdivision (3) of this subsection after the issuance of an order of temporary care and custody and the owner of the animal has posted a bond, the agency or person with whom the bond was posted shall return such bond to such owner.
(h) If the court finds that the animal is neglected or cruelly treated, the expenses incurred by the state or a municipality in providing proper food, shelter and care to an animal it has taken custody of under subsection (a) or (b) of this section and the expenses incurred by any state, municipal or other public or private agency or person in providing temporary care and custody pursuant to an order vesting temporary care and custody, calculated at the rate of twenty dollars per day per animal or thirty dollars per day per animal if the animal is a horse or other large livestock until the date ownership is vested pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of this section shall be paid by the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the care of the animal. In addition, all veterinary costs and expenses incurred for the welfare of the animal shall be paid by the owner or owners or person having responsibility for the animal.
(i) If the court vests ownership of the animal in the Commissioner of Agriculture or a municipality, the commissioner or the municipality may conduct or participate in a public auction of the animal under such conditions the commissioner or the municipality deems necessary or the commissioner or the municipality may consign the animal to an auction or sell the animal through an open advertised bid process whereby bid price and demonstration of sufficient knowledge and ability to care for such animal are factors for the commissioner's or municipality's consideration. All moneys collected from the sale of animals sold by the Commissioner of Agriculture through such open advertised bid process shall be deposited in the animal abuse cost recovery account established in subsection (j) of this section. All moneys collected from the sale of animals sold by a municipality through such open advertised bid process shall be deposited by the town treasurer or other fiscal officer in the town's general fund. The commissioner or the municipality may also vest ownership of any such animal in an individual or a public or private nonprofit animal rescue or adoption organization. Any record containing the name, address or other personally identifying information of the new owner of such animal shall be exempt from disclosure under state law, provided such information may be disclosed pursuant to the issuance of a lawful subpoena.
(j) There is established a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund, to be known as the “animal abuse cost recovery account”. All moneys collected from sales at public auction of animals seized by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the account. Deposits of moneys may be made into the account from public or private sources, including, but not limited to, the federal government or municipal governments.
(k) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any moneys received by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to subsection (j) of this section shall be deposited in the General Fund and credited to the animal abuse cost recovery account. The account shall be available to the Commissioner of Agriculture for the purpose of the housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department, until final disposition of such animal. Additionally, the account may be used for the purpose of providing reimbursement to any municipality for the costs of providing temporary care to such animal if such temporary care exceeded thirty days in duration and such costs exceeded the amount of any surety bond or cash bond posted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section provided the total annual reimbursement to municipalities from said account for such purpose shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. Nothing in this section shall prevent the commissioner from obtaining or using funds from sources other than the account for the housing, care and welfare of any animal seized by the department pursuant to this section.
Credits
(1995, P.A. 95-358, § 2; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 6, eff. July 1, 1998; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-145, § 1, eff. May 21, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004; 2007, P.A. 07-230, § 1; 2012, P.A. 12-20, § 1; 2014, P.A. 14-205, § 1, eff. June 13, 2014; 2021, P.A. 21-90, § 4, eff. June 28, 2021; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 1, eff. June 7, 2023; 2023, P.A. 23-149, § 5, eff. Oct. 1, 2023; 2024, P.A. 24-24, § 8, eff. Oct. 1, 2024; 2024, P.A. 24-108, § 27, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.)
§ 22-329b. Reporting of neglected or cruelly treated animals
(a) Any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a who (1) has reasonable cause to suspect that an animal observed in the course of the officer's employment is being or has been harmed, neglected or treated cruelly in violation of section 53-247, and (2) files a verified petition with the Superior Court pursuant to section 22-329a, shall make a written report to the Commissioner of Agriculture in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.
(b) The written report shall be made by the officer as soon as practicable, but not later than forty-eight hours after the officer has reasonable cause to suspect that an animal has been harmed, neglected or treated cruelly pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section or has filed a verified petition. Each written report shall contain, if known: (1) The address where the animal was observed and the name and address of the owner or other person responsible for care of the animal; (2) the name and a description of the animal; (3) the nature and extent of the harm to, neglect of or cruelty to the animal; (4) the approximate date and time such harm, neglect or cruelty occurred; (5) any information concerning any previous harm to, neglect of or cruelty to the animal; (6) the circumstances under which such harm, neglect or cruelty came to be known by the officer; and (7) the name and address of every person the officer reasonably suspects to be responsible for such harm, neglect or cruelty.
(c) Not later than November 1, 2011, and monthly thereafter, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall send a report to the Commissioner of Children and Families containing all of the information received pursuant to subsection (b) of this section during the preceding month.
Credits
(2011, P.A. 11-194, § 1; 2014, P.A. 14-70, § 1; 2014, P.A. 14-122, § 37.)
§ 22-329c. Law enforcement officer's or animal control officer's authority to take possession of sexually assaulted animal
A law enforcement officer or animal control officer authorized under section 22-329a, investigating an alleged violation of section 53a-73b may lawfully take possession of an animal when such officer has a reasonable belief that the animal was sexually assaulted in violation of section 53a-73b in order to protect the health or safety of the animal or the health or safety of others, and to obtain evidence of the alleged offense. Any animal, whether dead or alive, taken into possession pursuant to this section shall be promptly transported to an animal shelter or veterinary hospital to be examined by a licensed veterinarian for care and treatment and to preserve evidence of any alleged violation of section 53a-73b.
Credits
(2023, P.A. 23-149, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 2023.)
§ 22-330. Authority of officers issuing summons
The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer and any animal control officer in any part of the state, any regional animal control officer in the territory to which he is assigned and any municipal animal control officer in the municipality for which he has been appointed may arrest any person and may issue a written complaint and summons in furtherance thereof for any violation of any law relating to dogs or to any domestic animal in the same manner police officers or constables may exercise in their respective jurisdictions.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3377; 1953, Supp. §§ 1373c, 1815d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 3; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1976, P.A. 76-381, § 35; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 3; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 32, eff. June 28, 1993; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 7, eff. July 1, 1998; 2000, P.A. 00-99, § 63, eff. Dec. 1, 2000.)
§ 22-331. Municipal animal control officers. Assistants
(a) In each municipality of the state having a population of more than twenty-five thousand which has adopted the provisions of chapter 113,1 or otherwise provided for a merit system for its employees, the chief of police, or such other appointing authority as the charter may designate, shall, appoint a full-time municipal animal control officer and such assistants as are deemed necessary, subject to the provisions of said chapter 113 or other merit system, to administer and enforce the laws relating to dogs or other domestic animals. Any person so appointed may be or become a member of the police department and for such purpose the legislative body of such municipality may waive any requirements as to age, sex, physical condition, education and training applicable to other members of the police department. Any person so appointed as a member of the police department shall be fully eligible to participate in the retirement system of such department.
(b) Except as provided in section 22-331a, the chief or superintendent of police in each other city or town having a police department and the selectmen or chief executive officer in each town which has no police department, or such other appointing authority as the charter of such town may designate, in their respective jurisdictions, shall appoint a municipal animal control officer and such assistants as are deemed necessary to administer and enforce the laws relating to dogs and other domestic animals. Such officer and assistants shall have such qualifications as the commissioner may prescribe and shall serve for a term of at least one year.
(c) Each appointment made under the provisions of this section shall be reported promptly to the commissioner. Each person appointed under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall, and any person appointed under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section may, be paid a salary and expenses in lieu of the fees provided in section 22-334 and the amount thereof shall be transferred from the dog fund account to the appropriation of the proper department.
(d) The municipal animal control officer so appointed in any municipality the limits of which are not coterminous with those of the municipality in which it is located shall have authority as such municipal animal control officer throughout such town, and the town treasurer or other fiscal officer shall annually reimburse the municipality, from the dog fund account, for the salaries and expenses of such officer or his or her assistants. The municipal animal control officer so appointed in any town having a borough within its limits shall have authority as such municipal animal control officer throughout the limits of such town. If, in any municipality, the officer or officers charged with such duty fail to report such appointment, the commissioner shall notify such officer or officers to make and report such appointment within ten days of receipt of such notification, and, if such appointment is not made within such time, the commissioner shall appoint a municipal animal control officer for such municipality.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any special act, municipal charter or ordinance, any chief elected official of any municipality or a regional animal control facility may appoint, on a temporary basis not to exceed ninety days, any animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to this section or section 22-331a, as applicable, to act as an animal control officer in such municipality or region. Any animal control officer or regional animal control officer who provides services pursuant to an appointment made in accordance with this subsection shall have all the powers and authority granted to such animal control officer in the municipality or region in which such officer is appointed. Any such appointment made pursuant to this subsection shall be made in writing and be approved by each of the chief elected officials of the municipalities affected by such appointment and by each regional animal control facility that is affected by such appointment. Such written appointment shall include, at a minimum, information concerning the compensation to be paid to such officer, insurance provided to such officer and the use of equipment, if any, for such officer. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall be notified, in writing, of any such appointment made pursuant to this subsection not later than five days following such appointment.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3378; 1953, Supp. § 1374c; 1955, Supp. § 1816d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 4; 1965, Feb. Sp.Sess., P.A. 144, § 1, eff. June 7, 1965; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 4; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 33, eff. June 28, 1993; 2015, P.A. 15-103, § 1; 2021, P.A. 21-90, § 5, eff. June 28, 2021.)
§ 22-331a. Regional animal control officers. Pounds
Any two or more towns each of which has a population of less than fifty thousand, and which have or will provide a dog pound facility within their region, by action of their board of selectmen, town council or other governing body, may agree to be served by a regional animal control officer. Upon certification of such agreement to the commissioner with assurances from the towns so certifying that they will provide and continue to provide adequate facilities and compensation for such officer, the commissioner may, after giving due regard to the regional aspects of the proposed facilities and whether the proposed region would be in the best interests of the towns so certifying, establish such region. Each person so appointed shall have the same powers and duties within the region to which he is assigned as a municipal animal control officer in each town therein. All costs of maintaining and operating such pounds and administering and enforcing the laws relating to dogs within such regions shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of the agreement certified to the commissioner under this section. Any pound facility operated pursuant to this section shall meet the construction, maintenance and sanitation standards established pursuant to section 22-336 and any regulations adopted pursuant to said section, including, but not limited to, standards for the handling and transportation of dogs and other domestic animals.
Credits
(1963, P.A. 613, § 5; 1967, P.A. 162, § 1, eff. May 27, 1967; 1969, P.A. 81, § 3; 1982, P.A. 82-440, § 1, eff. June 8, 1982; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 5; 1991, P.A. 91-131, § 1; 1992, P.A. 92-147, § 3, eff. July 1, 1992; 2019, P.A. 19-8, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2019; 2021, P.A. 21-90, § 6, eff. June 28, 2021.)
§ 22-332. Impoundment and disposition of roaming, injured or mistreated animals. Authority to spay or neuter unclaimed dog
(a) Any animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-33 or 22-331a, as applicable, shall be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and shall make diligent search and inquiry for any violation of any of its provisions. Any such officer may take into custody (1) any dog found roaming in violation of the provisions of section 22-364, (2) any dog not having a tag or plate on a collar about its neck or on a harness on its body as provided by law or which is not confined or controlled in accordance with the provisions of any order or regulation relating to rabies issued by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or (3) any dog or other domestic animal found injured on any highway, neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated. The officer shall impound such dog or other domestic animal at the pound serving the town where the dog or other domestic animal is taken unless, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian, the dog or other domestic animal is so injured or diseased that it should be euthanized immediately, in which case the municipal animal control officer of such town may have such dog or other animal humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. The officer shall immediately notify the owner or keeper of any dog or other animal so taken, if known, of its impoundment. If the owner or keeper of any such dog or other domestic animal is unknown, the officer shall immediately tag or employ other suitable means of official identification of the dog or other domestic animal and shall promptly cause (A) a description of such dog or other domestic animal to be published once in the lost and found column of a newspaper having a circulation in such town or that has a state-wide circulation, and (B) a photograph or description of such dog or other domestic animal and the date on which such dog or other domestic animal is no longer legally required to be impounded to be posted on a national pet adoption Internet web site or an Internet web site that is maintained or accessed by the animal control officer and that is accessible to the public through an Internet search, except such posting shall not be required if: (i) The dog or other domestic animal is held pending the resolution of civil or criminal litigation involving such dog or other domestic animal, (ii) the officer has a good faith belief that the dog or other domestic animal would be adopted by or transferred to a public or private nonprofit rescue organization for the purpose of placing such dog or other domestic animal in an adoptive home even in the absence of such posting, (iii) the dog or other domestic animal's safety will be placed at risk, or (iv) such animal control officer determines that such dog or other domestic animal is feral and not adoptable. If any animal control officer does not have the technological resources to post such information on an Internet web site as required by subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, such officer may contact a public or private animal rescue organization and request that such organization post such information, at such organization's expense, on an Internet web site that is accessible to the public through an Internet search. To the extent practicable, any such posting by an animal control officer or a public or private animal rescue organization shall remain posted for the duration of such dog's or other domestic animal's impoundment in the municipal or regional dog pound.
(b) If such dog or other domestic animal is not claimed by and released to the owner within seven days after the date of publication, such officer, upon finding such dog or other domestic animal to be in satisfactory health, may have a licensed veterinarian spay or neuter such dog and sell such dog or other domestic animal to any person who satisfies such officer that such person is purchasing such dog or other domestic animal as a pet and that such person can give it a good home and proper care. Such officer may retain possession of such dog or other domestic animal for such additional period of time as such officer may deem advisable in order to place such dog or other domestic animal as a pet and may have a licensed veterinarian spay or neuter such dog. If, within such period, any dog or other domestic animal is not claimed by and released to the owner or keeper or purchased as a pet, the officer shall cause such dog or other domestic animal to be humanely euthanized by a licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. Any veterinarian who so euthanizes a dog shall be paid from the dog fund account. No person who euthanizes a dog or other domestic animal shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor nor shall any licensed veterinarian who spays or neuters a dog pursuant to this section be held civilly liable.
(c) The town treasurer or other fiscal officer shall pay from the dog fund account the advertising expense incurred under the provisions of this section upon receipt of an itemized statement together with a copy of the advertisement as published. Any person who purchases a dog as a pet shall pay a fee of five dollars and procure a license and tag for such dog from the town clerk, in accordance with the provisions of section 22-338. In addition to the five-dollar fee, any person who purchases a dog as a pet may be charged the cost the municipality incurred, if any, to spay or neuter and vaccinate the dog, provided such charge shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars.
(d) No regional or municipal dog pound facility, municipality, animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, or public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization that arranges for the provision of treatment by a licensed veterinarian to an injured, sick or diseased animal pursuant to a contract described in section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for such actions unless such actions are performed in a wanton, reckless or malicious manner. No licensed veterinarian who provides treatment free of charge or for a reduced fee, to an injured, sick or diseased animal as a direct result of a contract described in section 22-332e shall be held civilly liable for the provision of such treatment unless such actions are performed in a wilful, wanton or reckless manner.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3379; 1951, Supp. § 710b; 1953, Supp. § 1375c; 1955, Supp. § 1817d; 1961, P.A. 517, § 21; 1963, P.A. 14, § 3; 1963, P.A. 613, § 35; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1971, P.A. 76; 1974, P.A. 74-183, § 246, eff. Dec. 31, 1974; 1976 P.A. 76-436, § 212, eff. July 1, 1978; 1978, P.A. 78-280, § 1, eff. July 1, 1978; 1980, P.A. 80-315, § 1; 1986, P.A. 86-45; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 6; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 34, eff. June 28, 1993; 1996, P.A. 96-243, § 15, eff. June 6, 1996; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 8, eff. July 1, 1998; 2003, P.A. 03-137, § 1; 2011, P.A. 11-111, § 2; 2013, P.A. 13-105, § 1; 2014, P.A. 14-122, § 38; 2015, P.A. 15-103, § 2; 2016, P.A. 16-89, § 5, eff. June 1, 2016; 2021, P.A. 21-90, § 7, eff. June 28, 2021.)
§ 22-332a. Use of dogs for medical research restricted
(a) No person shall procure or use any living dog for medical or biological teaching, research or study except a hospital, educational institution or laboratory licensed for such purpose in accordance with the provisions of section 22-332b. No such hospital, educational institution or laboratory shall purchase or accept, without fee, any living dog from any municipal animal control officer, pound, kennel or commercial kennel in this state.
(b) No animal control officer or municipal animal control officer shall sell, give or transfer any unclaimed, impounded dog to any animal dealer, whether or not such dealer is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
CREDIT(S)
(1963, P.A. 14, § 1; 1980, P.A. 80-315, § 2; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 7; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 9, eff. July 1, 1998.)
§ 22-332b. License for use of dogs
(a) Any hospital, educational institution or laboratory desiring to obtain a license to use living dogs in medical or biological teaching, research or study shall apply to the Commissioner of Public Health, on forms which said commissioner shall provide, giving its name, address, the nature of the activity for which a license is desired and the location at which such activity is to be conducted. Such application shall be accompanied by a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars. Upon receipt of an application and fee, the Commissioner of Public Health shall cause an investigation to be made of the applicant and shall issue a license upon finding that the applicant (1) has adequate land, buildings, equipment and facilities to engage in the activity described in the application, and (2) agrees to comply with all laws and regulations respecting the housing and care of dogs. Each license shall be in lieu of any license required by sections 22-338, 22-339, 22-342 and 22-344 and shall be issued only for the premises and activity described in the application. No license shall be transferable. Each license shall expire on June thirtieth following the date of issue and shall be renewable annually upon application and payment of a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars.
(b) The Commissioner of Public Health shall suspend or revoke a license for wilful or material failure to comply with the provisions of this section or any law or regulation relating to the acquisition, housing and care of dogs. No such suspension or revocation shall be ordered except upon notice and hearing. Such notice shall be in writing and shall inform the licensee of the substance of the violation charged and that an opportunity for hearing will be provided upon written request filed within ten days after receipt of such notice. The Commissioner of Public Health shall file with each order suspending or revoking a license a finding of fact and statement of his conclusions and serve upon the licensee, by registered or certified mail, a copy of such order, finding and statement. Any person whose application for a license is denied or whose license is revoked or suspended under the provisions of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
(1963, P.A. 14, § 2; 1976, P.A. 76-436, § 456, eff. July 1, 1978; 1977, P.A. 77-603, § 98, eff. July 1, 1977; 1977, P.A. 77-614, § 323, eff. Jan. 1, 1979; 1991, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 91-11, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; 1993, P.A. 93-381, § 9, eff. July 1, 1993; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 35, eff. June 28, 1993; 1995, P.A. 95-257, §§ 12, 21, eff. July 1, 1995; 2009, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 09-3, § 297.)
Any person who violates any provision of section 22-332, 22-332a or 22-332b shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
Credits
(1963, P.A. 14, § 4; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 79.)
§ 22-332d. Impoundment and disposition of certain cats. Authority to spay or neuter unclaimed cat
(a) Any animal control officer for a municipality which has adopted an ordinance under subsection (b) of section 22-339d may take into custody any cat found to be damaging property other than property of its owner or keeper or causing an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably offensive condition unless such cat can be identified as under the care of its owner or a registered keeper of feral cats. The officer shall impound such cat at the pound serving the town where the cat is taken unless, in the opinion of a licensed veterinarian, the cat is so injured or diseased that it should be destroyed immediately, in which case the municipal animal control officer of such town may cause the cat to be mercifully killed by a licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. The municipal animal control officer shall immediately notify the owner or keeper of any cat so taken, if known, of its impoundment. If the owner or keeper of any such cat is unknown, the officer shall immediately tag or employ such other suitable means of identification of the cat as may be approved by the Chief Animal Control Officer and shall promptly cause a description of such cat to be published once in the lost and found column of a newspaper having a circulation in such town.
(b) If such cat is not claimed by and released to the owner within seven days after the date of publication, the municipal animal control officer, upon finding such cat to be in satisfactory health, may have a licensed veterinarian spay or neuter any such cat and sell such cat to any person who satisfies such officer that he is purchasing it as a pet and that he can give it a good home and proper care. The municipal animal control officer may retain possession of such cat for such additional period of time as he may deem advisable in order to place such cat as a pet and may have a licensed veterinarian spay or neuter such cat. If, within such period, any cat is not claimed by and released to the owner or keeper or purchased as a pet, the officer shall cause such cat to be mercifully killed by a licensed veterinarian or disposed of as the State Veterinarian may direct. No person who so destroys a cat shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor nor shall any licensed veterinarian who spays or neuters a cat pursuant to this section be held civilly liable, including, but not limited to, liability for reconstructive neutical implantation surgery.
(c) Any cat captured or impounded under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be redeemed by the owner or keeper thereof, or the agent of such owner or keeper, upon proper identification, and presentation to the municipal animal control officer of a license, tag or other means of identification for such cat, and upon the payment by such owner or keeper or his agent of (1) the redemption fee established by the municipality, which shall not exceed fifteen dollars, and (2) the cost of advertising incurred under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. When the owner or keeper of any such impounded cat fails to redeem such cat within twenty-four hours after receiving notification to do so, or, where the owner was unknown, within twenty-four hours after notification was effected by means of publication in a newspaper, such owner or keeper shall pay, in addition to such redemption fee and the cost of advertising, the amount determined by the municipality to be the full cost of detention and care of such impounded cat. In addition, any owner or keeper of any such impounded cat who fails to redeem such cat within one hundred twenty hours after receiving notification to do so shall have committed an infraction. The legislative body of the municipality shall set any fees imposed by the municipality under this section.
CREDIT(S)
(1996, P.A. 96-243, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1996; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 10, eff. July 1, 1998; 2003, P.A. 03-137, § 2.)
§ 22-332e. Regional or municipal dog pound contract with animal rescue organization for veterinary treatment of injured, sick or diseased animal. Contract requirements. Department of Agriculture complaint. Maintenance of list of animal rescue organizations
(a) Any regional or municipal dog pound facility may enter into a contract with one or more public or private nonprofit animal rescue organizations for the payment by such animal rescue organization of the costs for providing treatment by a licensed veterinarian to an injured, sick or diseased animal that is impounded at such regional or municipal dog pound facility. Such contract shall provide that: (1) No costs associated with the provision of such treatment shall accrue to the municipality as a result of such contract, (2) the selection of the licensed veterinarian to provide such treatment shall be made by the public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization that will be responsible for the remittance of payment to such licensed veterinarian who provides such treatment, (3) the determination of whether an animal is injured, sick or diseased and in need of veterinary treatment shall be made by a regional or municipal animal control officer who has custody of such animal, provided if any employee or volunteer of such regional or municipal dog pound facility notifies such animal control officer that an animal is injured, sick or diseased and in need of such veterinary treatment such animal control officer shall contact such public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization to arrange for the treatment of such animal by a licensed veterinarian, and (4) not later than twenty-four hours after receipt of a request from such municipal or regional dog pound facility that such public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization arrange for the provision of such treatment to an injured, sick or diseased animal impounded at such facility, such animal rescue organization shall select a licensed veterinarian to provide such treatment and take custody or control of such animal, as applicable, for the purpose of having such licensed veterinarian provide immediate treatment to such injured, sick or diseased animal. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any protection provided to any animal pursuant to any statute, regulation or ordinance.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, if any person observes or reasonably believes that a municipal or regional animal control officer failed to provide any animal that is under the custody and control of such animal control officer with proper care, including, but not limited to, veterinary care, such person may file a complaint with the Department of Agriculture's State Animal Control Division. Not later than twenty-four hours after receipt of any such complaint, such division shall take action as the division deems necessary to secure proper care for such animal, except if such complaint is received on a Saturday or Sunday, such action shall be taken on the next business day.
(c) Each municipal and regional dog pound facility shall maintain a list of any public or private nonprofit animal rescue organization that notifies such dog pound facility of such animal rescue organization's interest in entering into a contract described in subsection (a) of this section.
Credits
(2011, P.A. 11-111, § 1.)
§ 22-333. Redemption of impounded dog, cat or other animal
Any dog, cat or other animal captured or impounded under the provisions of this chapter shall be redeemed by the owner or keeper thereof, or the agent of such owner or keeper, upon proper identification, and, if the animal in question is a dog, upon presentation to the municipal animal control officer of a license and tag for such dog, and upon the payment by such owner or keeper or his agent of (1) the redemption fee established by the municipality, which shall not exceed fifteen dollars, and (2) the cost of advertising incurred under the provisions of section 22-332; provided no dog, cat or other animal seized for doing damage under the provisions of section 22-355 shall be released except upon written order of the commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer or an animal control officer. When the owner or keeper of any such impounded dog, cat or other animal fails to redeem such dog, cat or other animal within twenty-four hours after receiving notification to do so, or, where the owner was unknown, within twenty-four hours after notification was effected by means of publication in a newspaper, such owner or keeper shall pay, in addition to such redemption fee and the cost of advertising, the amount determined by the municipality to be the full cost of detention and care of such impounded dog, cat or other animal. The owner or keeper of any dog, cat or other animal impounded for the purposes of quarantine, as set forth in sections 22-358 and 22-359, shall pay the amount determined by the municipality to be the full cost of detention and care of such quarantined animal. In addition, any owner or keeper of any such impounded dog, cat or other animal who fails to redeem such dog, cat or other animal within one hundred twenty hours after receiving notification to do so shall have committed an infraction. The legislative body of the municipality shall set any fees imposed by the municipality under this section.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3380; 1951, Supp. § 711b; 1953, Supp. § 1376c; 1955, Supp. § 1818d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 6; 1969, P.A. 36; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1971, P.A. 14; 1975, P.A. 75-401, § 1, eff. July 1, 1975; 1979, P.A. 79-290, § 1; 1982, P.A. 82-323, § 2; 1986, P.A. 86-284; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 8; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 36, eff. June 28, 1993; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 11, eff. July 1, 1998; 2002, P.A. 02-14, § 1, eff. July 1, 2002; 2003, P.A. 03-123, § 2, eff. June 26, 2003; 2004, P.A. 04-257, § 41, eff. June 14, 2004.)
§ 22-334. Municipal animal control officer's fees
On or before the tenth day of each month, each municipal animal control officer shall report their services rendered in the performance of their official duties for the previous month to the Commissioner of Agriculture and the chief administrative officer for the town or region in which such services were rendered. The commissioner shall prescribe and provide the forms for such statements.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3381; 1951, Supp. § 712b; 1953, Supp. §§ 1377c, 1819d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 1; 1963, P.A. 613, § 7; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1979, P.A. 79-290, § 2, eff. July 1, 1979; 1982, P.A. 82-101, § 1, eff. July 1, 1982; 1987, P.A. 87-231, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 9; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 37, eff. June 28, 1993; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 2, eff. June 7, 2023.)
§ 22-335. Removal of municipal animal control officer. Complaint against municipal animal control officer
Any municipal animal control officer may be removed by the authority that appointed such animal control officer or by the commissioner, and a successor may be appointed by such authority or commissioner. Any owner of a dog, cat or other domestic animal aggrieved by the taking of such dog, cat or other domestic animal by a municipal animal control officer may make complaint to the appointing authority of such municipal animal control officer or to the commissioner; and if, upon investigation of the complaint, the authority or the commissioner finds that the municipal animal control officer took the dog, cat or other domestic animal otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or abused or cruelly treated the dog, cat or other domestic animal, the authority or the commissioner may remove the officer and appoint a successor.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3382; 1953, Supp. §§ 1378c, 1820d; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 10; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 38, eff. June 28, 1993; 1996, P.A. 96-243, § 4; 2015, P.A. 15-103, § 3.)
§ 22-336. Towns to provide pounds or other suitable facilities. Regulations. Enforcement
Each city or town, other than towns participating in a regional dog pound, shall (1) provide and maintain for use as a dog pound a suitable building, which shall be made comfortable for the detention and care of dogs and other domestic animals and kept in a sanitary condition, or (2) provide, through written agreement, for the detention and care of impounded dogs or other domestic animals by a licensed veterinarian, or in a licensed veterinary hospital, licensed commercial kennel, a dog pound maintained by another city or town, or other suitable facility approved by the commissioner. Any city or town may provide for the use of such building or facility to shelter other domestic animals that are found injured, mistreated or roaming in a manner that endangers the domestic animal or the public. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54,1 concerning the construction and maintenance of dog pounds or other facilities where impounded dogs or other domestic animals are kept, and the care, handling and transportation of dogs or other domestic animals by municipal animal control officers. The commissioner may inspect any dog pound or other facility where impounded dogs or other domestic animals are kept and may issue such orders as the commissioner deems necessary to correct any improper conditions found to exist. A report of any such inspection and the findings from such inspection shall be provided to the applicable municipal animal control officer not later than five days after such inspection. Such animal control officer shall provide a copy of the inspection report and any such findings to the chief elected official of such city or town and the applicable police department or supervisor of such municipal animal control officer not later than thirty days after receipt of such report and findings. If such orders are not complied with, the commissioner may request the Attorney General to bring an action for their enforcement, including suit for an injunction in the judicial district in which the dog pound or facility is located.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3383; 1953, Supp. § 1379c; 1955, Supp. § 1821d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 8; 1980, P.A. 80-211, § 1; 1982, P.A. 82-119, § 2; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 11; 1993, P.A. 93-162; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 39, eff. June 28, 1993; 2015, P.A. 15-103, § 4; 2023, P.A. 23-138, § 2, eff. June 26, 2023.)
§ 22-336a. Municipal or regional dog pounds. Standards. Enforcement
(a) Each municipal or regional dog pound shall provide mechanical heating and cooling systems of appropriate design and capacity to maintain an indoor ambient temperature of between fifty-five and eighty degrees Fahrenheit, unless other temperatures are medically required by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian.
(b) (1) In any municipal or regional dog pound, dogs shall not share the same primary enclosure, except dams or foster dams and their puppies.
(2) In any municipal or regional dog pound, primary enclosures shall be provided for each cat with space equal to or more than the space requirements for cats pursuant to 9 CFR 3.6(a) and 9 CFR 3.6(b), as amended from time to time.
(3) Whenever dogs or cats are kept in respective groups at any municipal or regional dog pound, the following shall apply:
(A) Females in heat shall not be kept with males;
(B) Any dog or cat exhibiting a vicious or aggressive disposition shall be kept separately; and
(C) Puppies or kittens four months of age or less shall not be kept with adult dogs or cats other than their dams or foster dams.
(c) (1) Any dog or cat that has or is suspected of having a contagious disease at any municipal or regional dog pound shall be isolated from and have no nose-to-nose contact with healthy animals.
(2) Any dog or cat at a municipal or regional dog pound that has or is suspected of having a contagious disease shall be examined, treated and handled as directed by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian.
(d) The Commissioner of Agriculture may enforce the provisions of this section, as necessary, to protect the health and well-being of any animal at a municipal or regional dog pound.
Credits
(2023, P.A. 23-138, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2023.)
§ 22-337. Notice of licensing requirements
The selectmen of each town shall, annually, at least thirty days before June thirtieth, post a notice on the signpost in their town, if any, or at some other exterior place near the office of the town clerk, which shall warn that dogs must be licensed during the month of June.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3400; 1953, Supp. §§ 1396c, 1838d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 10; 1984, P.A. 84-146, § 13.)
§ 22-338. Licensing of dogs. Fees. Penalties. Rabies certificate. Exemptions.
(a) Each owner or keeper of a dog of the age of six months or older, except dogs kept under a kennel license as provided in section 22-342, shall cause such dog to be licensed in the town clerk's office in the town where such dog is kept, on or before June thirtieth, annually, or at such time as such dog becomes six months old, and annually thereafter, on or before June thirtieth. The owner or keeper shall pay to such town clerk for such license the sum of seven dollars for each neutered male or spayed female dog and the sum of twelve dollars for each unneutered male dog and each unspayed female dog, and one additional dollar in each case as the town clerk's fee for issuing a tag and license as provided in section 22-340. Two dollars from each license fee collected for a neutered or spayed dog shall be deposited into the animal population control account, established under section 22-380g. If an owner or keeper of a dog fails to procure a license as required by this section, such owner or keeper shall pay the appropriate license fee specified in this section, the town clerk's fee and a penalty of one dollar for each month or fraction thereof the dog remains unlicensed.
(b) Any owner or keeper applying for a license for a dog under subsection (a) of this section, except for those owners or keepers possessing a rabies vaccination exemption certificate, or a copy thereof, issued pursuant to section 22-339b, shall submit to the town clerk a rabies certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian, or a copy thereof, stating that such dog has been vaccinated against rabies, the date of the vaccination and the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccine. No license shall be issued unless the certificate indicates that the immunity provided by the vaccine is effective at the time of licensing.
(c) Any owner or keeper applying for a license for a dog pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that has been exempted from vaccination against rabies pursuant to section 22-339b shall submit to the town clerk a rabies vaccination exemption certificate issued by the department, or a copy thereof, in lieu of a rabies certificate.
(d) This section shall not apply to any dog which is imported into this state for exhibition purposes and which does not remain in this state for more than thirty days. Any person may import, from another state, any licensed dog with collar, tag and rabies vaccination certificate, and keep the same in this state for not more than thirty days, without complying with the provisions of this section.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3384; 1953, Supp. § 1380c; 1955, Supp. § 1822d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 2; 1963, P.A. 613, § 9; 1965, Feb. Sp.Sess., P.A. 49, § 1, eff. May 7, 1965; 1976, P.A. 76-361, § 1; 1982, P.A. 82-323, § 3; 1985, P.A. 85-167, § 1; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 1; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 1, eff. April 12, 1991; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 40, eff. June 28, 1993; 2002, P.A. 02-61, § 1; 2003, P.A. 03-103, § 1; 2006, P.A. 06-105, § 1; 2007, P.A. 07-105, § 1, eff. June 11, 2007.)
§ 22-339. Licensing of dogs which are six months of age or older by new owners. Fees
Any person upon becoming the owner or keeper of any unlicensed dog of the age of six months or older shall cause such dog to be licensed within thirty days thereof until the thirtieth day of the ensuing June in the manner and subject to the terms and conditions provided in section 22-338. If the new owner has written proof of purchase or transfer and the license is obtained within thirty days, he shall not be required to pay any penalties as provided by said section for failure to secure a license for a dog over six months of age. Any person becoming the owner of a licensed dog shall present the license and tag of such dog to the town clerk of the town in which he resides and, for a fee of one dollar, such town clerk shall issue, in lieu thereof, a new license and tag, which shall be recorded in the name of the new owner. Such town clerk shall retain the old license and tag in his possession.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3385; 1953, Supp. §§ 1381c, 1823d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 3; 1963, P.A. 613, § 11; 1976, P.A. 76-361, § 2; 1978, P.A. 78-297, § 2, eff. July 1, 1978; 1982, P.A. 82-323, § 4; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 2; 1991, P.A. 91-215, § 1; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 41, eff. June 28, 1993.)
§ 22-339a. Town clerks may deputize agents for the issuance of licenses. Licensing of dogs acquired from dog pounds. Fees. Rabies certificate
(a) The town clerk of any town may deputize employees of any dog pound in such town as agents for the issuance of dog licenses and tags, provided the town clerk shall be solely responsible for compliance with the provisions of the statutes relating to the duties of the town clerk in connection with such licenses and tags and the moneys received therefor.
(b) Any person acquiring an unlicensed dog from a dog pound shall be issued a temporary license by the town clerk, or his agent deputized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, which shall expire thirty days after the issuance thereof. Prior to the expiration of a temporary license, the person holding the license shall apply for a license for the remainder of the license year, pay the appropriate license fee specified in section 22-338, and submit a certificate signed by a veterinarian, or a copy thereof, stating (1) that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies, (2) the date of the vaccination and (3) the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccine. No license shall be issued unless the certificate indicates that the immunity provided by the vaccine is effective at the time of licensing.
CREDIT(S)
(1978, P.A. 78-297, § 1, eff. July 1, 1978; 1982, P.A. 82-323, § 5; 1985, P.A. 85-167, § 2; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 3; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 42, eff. June 28, 1993.)
§ 22-339b. Rabies vaccination required for dogs and cats. Exemption from rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination exemption certificate. Veterinarian appeal. Penalty
(a) Any owner or keeper of a dog or cat shall have such dog or cat vaccinated against rabies. Such vaccination shall occur when such dog or cat is twelve weeks or more of age but less than fourteen weeks of age, or at the age that the vaccine manufacturer recommends, as approved by the United States Department of Agriculture, provided such owner or keeper shall have such dog or cat vaccinated if either such prescribed age has lapsed. Any animal vaccinated prior to one year of age or receiving a primary rabies vaccine at any age shall be considered protected for only one year and shall be given a booster vaccination one year after the initial vaccination and shall be vaccinated at least every three years thereafter. Those animals revaccinated after one year of age shall be given booster vaccinations at least every three years thereafter. Proof of vaccination shall be a certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with subsection (a) of section 22-339c. A licensed veterinarian, upon request of the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer, municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer shall submit to such officer a copy of such certificate and any associated rabies vaccination records for such dog or cat that has bitten a person or another animal.
(b) The State Veterinarian or the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee, may grant an exemption from vaccination against rabies for a dog or cat if a licensed veterinarian has examined such animal and determined that a rabies vaccination would endanger the animal's life due to disease or other medical considerations. Such exemption may be granted for an individual animal only after the veterinarian has consulted with the State Veterinarian, the Commissioner of Agriculture, or the commissioner's designee, and completed and submitted to the department an application for exemption from rabies vaccination on a form approved by the Department of Agriculture. After approval of such exemption, the department shall issue a rabies vaccination exemption certificate, copies of which shall be provided to the veterinarian, the owner of the dog or cat exempted from rabies vaccination and the animal control officer of the municipality in which the owner of the dog or cat resides. Certification that a dog or cat is exempt from rabies vaccination shall be valid for one year, after which time the animal shall be vaccinated against rabies or the application for exemption shall be renewed.
(c) Any veterinarian aggrieved by a denial of a request for an exemption from rabies vaccination by the State Veterinarian, the Commissioner of Agriculture or the commissioner's designee may appeal such denial as provided in the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, sections 4-166 to 4-189, inclusive.
(d) Any violation of this section shall be an infraction.
Credits
(1985, P.A. 85-167, § 3, eff. May 14, 1985; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 2, eff. April 12, 1991; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 43, eff. June 28, 1993; 1996, P.A. 96-243, § 13, eff. June 6, 1996; 2006, P.A. 06-105, § 2; 2009, P.A. 09-228, § 1, eff. July 1, 2009; 2024, P.A. 24-69, § 8, eff. May 30, 2024.)
§ 22-339c. Certificate of rabies vaccination
(a) A certificate of rabies vaccination shall be (1) a form approved by the National Association of Public Health Veterinarians, (2) any form approved by the State Veterinarian, or (3) any form that has the following information regarding the vaccinated animal: (A) The name and address of its owner; (B) a description of the animal which specifies its species, breed, age, color or markings and sex; (C) the date of the vaccination, the duration of the immunity provided by the vaccination, the producer of the vaccine and the vaccine serial number; (D) the rabies tag number; and (E) the signature and license number of the veterinarian administering the vaccination. Such certificate shall be the official proof of rabies vaccination submitted to a town clerk in accordance with the provisions of section 22-338 or 22- 339a.
(b) The owner or keeper of a dog or cat shall keep a certificate, or copy thereof, stating that such dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies and shall make such certificate or copy available to any animal control officer, regional animal control officer or municipal animal control officer of any municipality for inspection.
(c) An antirabies clinic, upon request of any municipal animal control officer or animal control officer, shall submit to such officer a copy of any such certificate issued. Such copy shall be used by the officer to search for unlicensed dogs in accordance with the provisions of section 22-349.
CREDIT(S)
(1985, P.A. 85-167, § 4; 1986, P.A. 86-45, § 2, eff. April 28, 1986; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 3, eff.. April 12, 1991; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 12; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 44, eff. June 28, 1993; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 12, eff. July 1, 1998; 2006, P.A. 06-105, § 3.)
§ 22-339d. Municipal control of feral cats
(a) A municipality may adopt an ordinance requiring the registration, within one year of the adoption of such ordinance, of keepers of feral cats in residential or commercial areas. Such ordinance shall require that any such keeper shall register with the animal control officer for such municipality who shall provide information to the registrant regarding the proper care and management of feral cats. For purposes of this section, "feral cat" means a free-roaming domestic cat which is not owned and "keeper" means any person or organization, harboring, regularly feeding or having in his or its possession any feral cat. Refusal to permit any animal control officer to impound a feral cat shall be deemed evidence of keeping. Such ordinance shall require that such keepers shall provide for the vaccination of such cats against rabies and the sterilization of such cats. Such keeper shall be considered an eligible owner for purposes of the animal population control program established under sections 22-380e to 22-380m, inclusive, provided such cats are adopted from a municipal pound.
(b) A municipality may adopt an ordinance providing that no person owning or keeping any cat shall permit such animal to (1) substantially damage property other than the property of the owner or keeper or (2) cause an unsanitary, dangerous or unreasonably offensive condition. Violation of such provision shall be an infraction.
CREDIT(S)
(1996, P.A. 96-243, § 1.)
§ 22-340. Town clerk to provide licenses and tags
(a) Each person complying with the provisions of section 22-338, 22-339 or 22-342 shall receive from the town clerk a license on a form prescribed by the commissioner, which license shall contain a description of the dog and the number under which such dog is licensed. The town clerk shall issue to such person a tag or plate of material prescribed by the commissioner, upon which shall be distinctly marked the name of the town in which such dog is licensed, the license number and the year of license. No town clerk shall issue such license or tag to any person for any neutered male or spayed female dog not previously licensed as such unless the person causing the dog to be licensed exhibits to the town clerk a certificate from a licensed veterinarian stating that such veterinarian has neutered or spayed the dog or that, after examining the dog, he finds that the dog has been neutered or spayed.
(b) The town clerk shall provide for the issuance and renewal through the mail of licenses issued under sections 22-338 and 22-339. The town clerk may make applications for such licenses available at such facilities as kennels, pet stores, veterinarian offices, humane society offices and pet grooming establishments.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3386; 1953, Supp. §§ 1382c, 1824d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 12; 1977, P.A. 77-420, § 2, eff. June 10, 1977; 1977, P.A. 77-604, § 19, eff. July 6, 1977; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 4; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 45, eff. June 28, 1993.)
§ 22-341. Tag or plate to be attached to dog collar or harness. Cost
(a) Each owner or keeper of a licensed dog shall keep around its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material, to which shall be securely attached a tag or plate issued to such person by the town clerk. If any such tag or plate is lost, the owner or keeper of such dog shall forthwith secure a substitute tag or plate from the town clerk, at a cost of fifty cents.
(b) The town clerk of each town shall order a sufficient number of such tags or plates from the commissioner, who shall furnish the same at a cost of five cents each, which cost shall be paid by the town on the approval of the town clerk. Any balance of the moneys received by the commissioner after deducting the cost of the tags, the expenses incidental to their distribution to the town clerks and the expenses incidental to the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, shall be accounted for by the commissioner to the Comptroller. The design and the shape of such tags or plates shall be changed each year, and such tags or plates for each year shall be of uniform design and material throughout the state. Any dog found roaming at large upon any public highway or common or upon the premises of any person other than its owner, without a tag as provided in this section, shall be presumed to be an unlicensed dog.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3387; 1953, Supp. §§ 1383c, 1825d; 1983, P.A. 83-382, § 1, eff. June 21, 1983; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 46, eff. June 28, 1993; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 2.)
§ 22-342. Kennel licenses. Certain breeders to be licensed. Inspection of kennel facilities. Penalties
(a) Any owner or keeper of dogs who breeds more than five litters of dogs annually shall apply to the town clerk in the town in which such kennel is located for a local kennel license. Any owner or keeper of a kennel who breeds not more than five litters of dogs annually may apply to the town clerk of the town in which such kennel is located for a local kennel license. For the purposes of this section, annually shall refer to the local kennel license year which begins July first. Such town clerk shall issue to such applicant a local kennel license on a form prescribed by the commissioner for a period from the date of such application until the thirtieth day of the ensuing June. The license shall specify the name and number of the kennel, the name of the owner and the name of the keeper and shall be in lieu of any other license required for any dog of either sex which may be kept in such kennel during the period for which the license is issued. Each license may be renewed from year to year by the town clerk upon application of such owner or keeper. Each such owner or keeper shall cause to be kept, upon each dog in such kennel, while it is at large, a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material, to which collar or harness shall be securely attached a tag or plate upon which shall appear the number of the local kennel license, the name of the town issuing the license and the year of license. Such plates or tags shall be furnished by the town clerk of the town in which such kennel is licensed, at a cost of ten cents each, in such numbers, not fewer than the number of dogs kept in such kennel, and at such time as the licensee may request.
(b) The fee for each local kennel license, when no more than ten dogs are kept in the kennel, shall be fifty dollars, and for a local kennel license for a kennel containing more than ten dogs, the fee shall be one hundred dollars, except that in the case of a kennel started after the first day of July, the local kennel license fee for the remainder of the year shall be a proportional part of the fee charged for one year. If the owner or keeper of any kennel fails to obtain the local kennel license on or before June thirtieth, such owner or keeper shall pay one dollar for each dog kept therein, in addition to the regular local kennel license fee. All local kennel license fees shall be used only by towns for the compensation of municipal animal control officers, license certificates, tags, the construction and maintenance of dog pounds, the detention and care of impounded animals in accordance with section 22-336, municipal animal control officer's equipment, animal supplies and such veterinary fees, as are provided for by the general statutes or the regulations of Connecticut state agencies and shall not be used for any other purpose. No fee paid into the treasury of any town for a local kennel license fee shall be returned or paid back to the person from whom such fee was collected.
(c) The commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer or any state animal control officer may at any time inspect any kennel including all facilities of any kennel in which dogs are bred or housed or cause it to be inspected by a Connecticut licensed veterinarian appointed by the commissioner. If, in the judgment of the commissioner, such kennel is not being maintained in good repair and in a sanitary and humane manner or if the commissioner finds that communicable or infectious disease or other unsatisfactory conditions exist in the kennel, he may issue such orders as he deems necessary for the correction of such conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner or keeper of such kennel fails to comply with such orders, the commissioner shall revoke or suspend the kennel license of such owner or keeper. On or after July 1, 2023, each such kennel may be inspected annually by an animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-331a with jurisdiction in the municipality in which such kennel is located, or upon receipt of any complaint about such kennel. Such inspection shall include an evaluation of: (1) The sanitary conditions in which the dogs are kept, (2) the dogs' access to proper and wholesome food, potable water, exercise and veterinary care when necessary, including rabies vaccinations, and (3) records of veterinary care and records of the transfer of dogs or puppies to new owners. Any crate or other enclosure in which any dog is kept for more than four hours shall be clean and in good repair, such that the crate or enclosure does not pose a hazard to the dog, and shall be of sufficient size as to allow the dogs to stand, sit, lie down, turn around and make normal postural movements. If any animal control officer finds conditions exist in such kennel that may adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of any dog, such animal control officer may issue such orders as are necessary for the correction of such conditions. If such animal control officer suspects a communicable or infectious disease is present, such officer may order the licensee to consult a Connecticut licensed veterinarian at such licensee's expense to address the suspected health condition. The licensee shall implement any order of the animal control officer to correct any condition that may adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of any such dog, and shall follow any recommendation of such veterinarian, as applicable. A municipality may suspend, revoke or refuse to issue any local kennel license under this section for cause.
(d) Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the provisions of this section may appeal to the Superior Court of the judicial district in which such municipality is located, provided such appeal is made not later than fifteen days after the date of such order and is otherwise made in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
(e) Any person maintaining a kennel after such license has been revoked or suspended as herein provided shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
(f) Any owner or keeper of a kennel who breeds more than five litters of dogs annually and (1) fails to apply for a local kennel license as required in subsection (a) of this section, (2) fails to allow an inspection of such facility as required in subsection (c) of this section, or (3) fails to comply with any order issued pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, shall, for a first offense, have committed an infraction, and for a second or subsequent offense be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
(g) No person found guilty of violating section 53-247, 53-248 or 53-249 shall be eligible to hold a local kennel license issued pursuant to this section. No business entity that has a person with a controlling interest in such entity who has been found guilty of violating section 53-247, 53-248 or 53-249 shall be eligible to hold a local license issued pursuant to this section.
Credits
(1949 Rev., §§ 3388, 3389; 1953, Supp. §§ 1384c, 1826d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 4; 1963, P.A. 613, § 13; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1976, P.A. 76-436, § 457, eff. July 1, 1978; 1977, P.A. 77-260; 1977, P.A. 77-420, § 1, eff. June 10, 1977; 1977, P.A. 77-603, § 99, eff. July 1, 1977; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 47, eff. June 28, 1993; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 13, eff. July 1, 1998; 1998, P.A. 98-113, § 1; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 128; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 3, eff. June 7, 2023; 2023, P.A. 23-187, § 28, eff. June 28, 2023.)
§ 22-343. Temporary placing of dog
The holder of any kennel license may place any dog belonging to such kennel in the possession and keeping of any prospective purchaser for not more than thirty days without such keeper or temporary custodian complying with the provisions of section 22-338, but such dog, during such temporary custody, shall wear around its neck or body a collar or harness of leather or other suitable material, to which shall be attached a tag or plate as specified in section 22-341 or 22-342.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3390; 1953, Supp. §§ 1385c, 1827d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 14.)
§ 22-344. Licensing of commercial kennel, pet shop, training facility or grooming facility. Advertising by commercial kennels. Registration of animal importer. Fees. Humane treatment of animals. Registration of animal shelters. Inspection. Fines. Conformance to zoning regulations
Currentness
(a) (1) No person shall maintain a commercial kennel until such person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such kennel under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of dogs or cats and the protection of the public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of four hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance provided the commissioner finds (A) that such regulations have been complied with, and (B) in the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein such kennel is to be maintained has certified that the kennel conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license shall be renewed biennially, not later than December thirty-first, in accordance with the provisions of this section, and may be transferred by the licensee to another premises upon approval of the commissioner.
(2) Any person who maintains a commercial kennel and who advertises the services of such commercial kennel shall cause the license number for such commercial kennel, as issued pursuant to this section, to clearly appear in such advertisement. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54,1 to prescribe the requirements for the appearance of the license number of a commercial kennel in any form of advertisement. Such regulation may include, but need not be limited to, the size, font and location of such license number for any given form of advertisement.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, no person who boards three or fewer cats or dogs in his or her residence shall be required to obtain a commercial kennel license pursuant to this subsection.
(b) No person shall maintain a pet shop until such person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such pet shop under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of animals and the protection of the public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of four hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with, and (2) in the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein such pet shop is to be maintained has certified that the pet shop conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Application for renewal of such license shall be made biennially by not later than the second December thirty-first following issuance. Such pet shop license may be transferred by the licensee to another premises upon the approval of the commissioner. The commissioner, after consultation with the Commissioners of Public Health and Energy and Environmental Protection, shall establish and maintain, pursuant to regulations adopted in accordance with chapter 54, a list of animals which are deemed to be injurious to the health and safety of the public or whose maintenance in captivity is detrimental to the health and safety of the animal. The sale or offer of sale of any animal which is on said list is prohibited and any person who violates this provision shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
(c) No person shall engage in the business of grooming or maintaining a grooming facility until such person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such facility under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of such animals and the protection of the public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of two hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with, and (2) in the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein such grooming is to be maintained has certified that the facility conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license shall be renewed biennially, not later than the second December thirty-first following issuance, in accordance with the provisions of this section, and may be transferred by the licensee to other premises upon approval of the commissioner.
(d) No person shall maintain a training facility until such person has obtained from the commissioner a license to maintain such facility under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of such animals and the protection of public safety. Upon written application and the payment of a fee of two hundred dollars, the commissioner shall issue such license to be effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with, and (2) in the case of each initial application for such license, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein such training facility is to be maintained has certified that the facility conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such license shall be renewed biennially not later than the second December thirty-first following issuance upon the terms required for the original license and may be transferred by the licensee to another premises upon approval of the commissioner.
(e) (1) No animal importer shall import any dog or cat into this state until such person registers as an animal importer with the commissioner. Such registration shall be on a form as prescribed by the commissioner. Such registration shall require the submission of the following information: (A) The name, mailing address, business address, telephone number and Internet address of such registrant, (B) if such registrant is domiciled out-of-state, the name, Connecticut address and phone number of a Connecticut-based agent for service of process, and (C) the number of animals brought into the state during the prior year by such animal importer and the state or country of origin for each such animal. Such registration shall be accompanied by payment of a fee of two hundred dollars and shall be valid until the second December thirty-first following such registration. Such registration shall be renewed biennially not later than the second December thirty-first following issuance, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, provided the commissioner determines that such registrant complies with any requirements provided by the commissioner as to the health, safety and humane treatment of animals that is applicable to animal importers. Such registration shall not be required for any employee or volunteer of a registered animal importer or other person who is required to be licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, provided such employee, volunteer or other person is not otherwise an animal importer. Any person who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
(2) Any animal importer who intends to offer for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat at a venue or location that is open to the public or at an outdoor location, including, but not limited to, a parking lot or shopping center, shall provide notice to the Department of Agriculture and the municipal zoning enforcement officer of the town where any such sale, adoption or transfer will occur, not later than ten days prior to such event. Such notice shall state the date for such sale, adoption or transfer event, the exact location of such event and the anticipated number of animals for sale, adoption or transfer at such event. Any person who fails to provide notice as required pursuant to this subdivision shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars per animal that is offered for sale, adoption or transfer at such event.
(3) For the purpose of this subsection, “animal importer” means a person who brings any dog or cat into this state from any other sovereign entity for the purpose of offering such dog or cat to any person for sale, adoption or transfer in exchange for any fee, sale, voluntary contribution, service or any other consideration. “Animal importer” includes any commercial or nonprofit animal rescue or adoption, humane relocation or delivery organization that is not otherwise required to be licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
(4) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to apply to any animal importer who offers a dog or cat for sale to a pet shop that is licensed in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, provided such animal is delivered directly to a pet shop.
(5) The Commissioner of Agriculture may inspect any animal imported by an animal importer or any record required to be kept by such animal importer, provided such inspection shall not authorize the entry of the commissioner into the residence of such animal importer.
(6) Not later than December 31, 2013, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall prescribe the conditions that constitute the humane treatment of animals that are applicable to animal importers. Such conditions shall include, but not be limited to, the appropriate shelter, availability of food and water and standard of care to be provided by an animal importer to such animals.
(f) No individual or private entity shall operate or maintain an animal shelter until such individual or private entity registers such animal shelter with the commissioner to operate and maintain such animal shelter under such regulations as the commissioner provides as to sanitation, disease and humane treatment of dogs or cats and the protection of the public safety. Upon written application and payment of a fee of fifty dollars to offset administrative costs of such registrations, the commissioner shall issue such registration to be effective until the second December thirty-first following issuance provided the commissioner finds (1) that such regulations have been complied with, and (2) in the case of each initial application for such registration, that the zoning enforcement official of the municipality wherein such animal shelter is to be operated or maintained has certified that the animal shelter conforms to the municipal zoning regulations. Such registration shall be renewed biennially, not later than December thirty-first, in accordance with the provisions of this section, and may be transferred by the registrant to another premises upon approval of the commissioner. For purposes of this subsection, “animal shelter” means any individual or private entity that operates a building or facility that is used solely to house homeless animals for the purpose of rescue or adoption and that is not operated within a private residence.
(g) The commissioner may, at any time, inspect or cause to be inspected by the commissioner's agents any such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility, and if, (1) in the commissioner's judgment such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is not being maintained in a sanitary and humane manner or in a manner that protects the public safety, (2) the commissioner finds that contagious, infectious or communicable disease or other unsatisfactory conditions exist, or (3) in the case of a pet shop, the commissioner finds any violation of the provisions of section 22a-381d, the commissioner may issue a fine to such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility of not more than five hundred dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation, may issue such orders as the commissioner deems necessary for the correction of such conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner or keeper of such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility fails to comply with the regulations or orders of the commissioner, or fails to comply with any provision of the statutes or regulations relating to dogs or other animals, the commissioner may refuse to issue or renew, revoke or suspend such license or registration, as applicable. Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the provisions of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183. Any person maintaining any commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility without having obtained a license or registration for the same, as applicable or after any such license or registration has been revoked or suspended as provided herein shall be fined not more than two hundred dollars. The provisions of this section shall not apply to veterinary hospitals, except those boarding or grooming dogs for nonmedical purposes, and other establishments where all the dogs or animals were born and raised on the premises where they are kept for sale.
(h) The provisions of subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of this section requiring certification by the zoning enforcement official that every commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility and training facility conforms to the zoning regulations of the municipality wherein such kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is maintained shall not apply to any person who is licensed under said subsections and maintained any such commercial kennel, pet shop or grooming facility prior to October 1, 1977, provided such person does not relocate such commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility in a zone in which such commercial kennel, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is not a permitted use. In addition, the provisions of said subsections and subsection (f) requiring certification by the zoning enforcement official that every commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility and training facility conforms to the zoning regulations of the municipality wherein such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is maintained shall not apply when a zone in which such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility is maintained is changed to a use which does not permit such commercial kennel, animal shelter, pet shop, grooming facility or training facility in such zone.
(i) Any person found guilty of violating section 53-247 shall not be eligible to hold a license issued pursuant to this section. Any business entity with any person with a controlling interest who is found guilty of violating section 53-247 shall not be eligible to hold a license issued pursuant to this section.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3327; 1953, Supp. §§ 1386c, 1828d; 1959, P.A. 447, § 1; 1963, P.A. 613, § 15; 1965, Feb.Sp.Sess., P.A. 22, § 1, eff. May 5, 1965; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1969, P.A. 423, § 2; 1971, P.A. 70; 1972, P.A. 180, § 2; 1974, P.A. 74-89; 1976, P.A. 76-344, § 458, eff. July 1, 1978; 1977, P.A. 77-314, § 2; 1977, P.A. 77-505; 1977, P.A. 77-603, § 100, eff. July 1, 1977; 1977, P.A. 77-614, § 323, eff. Jan. 1, 1979; 1982, P.A. 82-91, §§ 15, 16, eff. July 1, 1982; 1983, P.A. 83-382, § 2, eff. June 21, 1983; 1988, P.A. 88-364, § 30, eff. June 8, 1988; 1992, May Sp.Sess., P.A. 92-6, § 49, eff. July 1, 1992; 1993, P.A. 93-381, § 9, eff. July 1, 1993; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 48, eff. June 28, 1993; 1995, P.A. 95-257, §§ 12, 21, eff. July 1, 1995; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 3; 2009, P.A. 09-52, § 2, eff. July 1, 2009; 2009, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 09-3, § 298; 2011, P.A. 11-80, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; 2011, P.A. 11-187, § 1; 2012, P.A. 12-105, § 2; 2013, P.A. 13-23, § 1; 2013, P.A. 13-241, § 8, eff. July 2, 2013; 2016, P.A. 16-102, § 7; 2017, P.A. 17-167, § 1; 2019, P.A. 19-156, § 2, eff. July 9, 2019; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 4, eff. June 7, 2023.)
Footnotes 1 C.G.S.A. § 4-166 et seq.
§ 22-344a. Euthanasia of animals by pet shops
(a) Euthanasia of any warm-blooded animal which was offered for sale by a pet shop and not sold or transferred to another owner shall be by lethal injection of sodium pentobarbitol administered by a veterinarian licensed in this state or a person under his supervision.
(b) The commissioner shall revoke the license issued under section 22-344 of any pet shop that violates subsection (a) of this section.
CREDIT(S)
(1987, P.A. 87-143, §§ 1, 2; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 49, eff. June 28, 1993.)
§ 22-344b. Pet shop required to have dogs and cats examined by veterinarian. Replacement or refund. Penalty
(a) A pet shop licensee shall, prior to offering a dog or cat for sale and thereafter at intervals of fifteen days until such dog or cat is sold, provide for examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384.1 Such licensee shall maintain an electronic or paper record of the veterinary examinations and services rendered for each dog or cat offered for sale.
(b) (1) If, (A) within twenty days of sale, any such dog or cat becomes ill or dies of any illness which existed in such dog or cat at the time of the sale, or (B) within six months of sale, any such dog or cat is diagnosed with a congenital defect that adversely affects or will adversely affect the health of such dog or cat, such licensee shall: (i) Reimburse such consumer for the value of the actual services and medications provided to such dog or cat by any veterinarian licensed pursuant to chapter 384 for the treatment of such illness or congenital defect upon the presentation by such consumer to such licensee of a certificate from such veterinarian that such dog or cat suffers or suffered from such illness or congenital defect, provided such reimbursement shall not exceed (I) the full purchase price of such dog or cat for any dog or cat purchased for five hundred dollars or more, and (II) five hundred dollars for any dog or cat purchased for less than five hundred dollars. No licensee may require the consumer to return such dog or cat to such licensee to receive such reimbursement, or (ii) at the option of such consumer, replace the dog or cat or refund in full the purchase price of such dog or cat: (I) In the case of illness or such congenital defect, upon return of the dog or cat to the pet shop and the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 and selected by the consumer, stating that the dog or cat is ill from a condition which existed at the time of sale, or suffers from such congenital defect, and (II) in the case of death, the receipt of a certificate from a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 and selected by the consumer, stating that the dog or cat died from an illness or a congenital defect which existed at the time of sale. The presentation of such certificate shall be sufficient proof to claim reimbursement or replacement and the return of such deceased dog or cat to the pet shop shall not be required. No such refund or replacement shall be made if such illness or death resulted from maltreatment or neglect by a person other than the licensee or such licensee's agent or employee. A licensee shall not be subject to the obligations imposed by this subsection for the sale of a cat where such cat has been spayed or neutered prior to its sale. In the event the licensee fails to comply with a demand for reimbursement or replacement, the consumer may bring an action in the Superior Court to enforce the provisions of this section.
(2) Each pet shop licensee who sells dogs or cats shall post a statement of customer rights pursuant to this section in a location that is readily visible to the public and also provide a copy of such statement to any purchaser of a dog or cat at the time of purchase. The commissioner shall prescribe the content of such statement. Any statement of customer rights posted pursuant to this section shall be printed in black lettering of not less than twenty point size upon a white background. Any licensee who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars.
(c) Any licensee who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
Credits
(1988, P.A. 88-325, § 1; 1988, P.A. 88-230, § 1; 1990, P.A. 90-98, § 1; 1993, P.A. 93-142, § 4, eff. June 14, 1993; 1995, P.A. 95-220, § 4, eff. July 1, 1995; 1998, P.A. 98-113, § 2; 2009, P.A. 09-228, § 2, eff. July 1, 2009; 2012, P.A. 12-105, § 1; 2014, P.A. 14-77, § 2; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 5, eff. July 1, 2023.)
Footnotes
1 C.G.S.A. § 20-196 et seq.
§ 22-344c. Licensure of breeding facilities by towns § 22-344c. Repealed. (2023, P.A. 23-17, § 13, eff. June 7, 2023.)
Former text:
(a) If a town requires the licensure of persons keeping ten or more unneutered or unspayed dogs capable of breeding, such persons shall apply to the clerk of the town in which such dogs are located for a license. Such town clerk, if the zoning enforcement official has certified that the location where such dogs shall be kept conforms to the zoning regulations of the municipality, shall issue to such applicant a license, for a reasonable fee to be determined by the town, on a form prescribed by the town for a period, from the date of such application until the thirtieth day of the ensuing June which license shall specify the name and number of the dogs, the name of the owner and, if applicable, the name of a keeper. Each such license may be renewed from year to year by the town clerk upon application of such owner or keeper.
(b) The Commissioner of Agriculture, the Chief Animal Control Officer or any animal control officer may at any time inspect or cause to be inspected any location, required by a town to be licensed, keeping ten or more unneutered or unspayed dogs capable of breeding, by a registered veterinarian appointed by the commissioner and if, in the judgment of the commissioner: (1) Such location is not being maintained in a sanitary and humane manner, (2) the owner or keeper of such location does not comply with the standard of care applicable to breeders, as described in subsection (e) of this section, or (3) if the commissioner finds that communicable or infectious disease or other unsatisfactory conditions exist, the commissioner may issue such orders as the commissioner deems necessary for the correction of such conditions and may quarantine the premises and animals. If the owner or keeper of such location fails to comply with such orders, the commissioner may recommend the revocation or suspension of such license to the town which issued such license.
(c) Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the provisions of this section may appeal to the Superior Court in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183.
(d) Any person keeping ten or more unneutered or unspayed dogs capable of breeding, in a location required to be licensed, after such license has been revoked or suspended as herein provided shall be fined not less than fifty dollars or more than one hundred dollars.
(e) Not later than December 31, 2014, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall prescribe the standard of care to be provided to dogs or cats, as applicable, by any person who: (1) Keeps ten or more unneutered or unspayed dogs capable of breeding, or (2) owns or operates a breeding cattery. Such standard of care shall be consistent with the standard of care to be provided by an animal importer, as prescribed pursuant to subdivision (6) of subsection (e) of section 22-344.
Credits
(1991, P.A. 91-379; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 14, eff. July 1, 1998; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004; 2007, P.A. 07-217, § 99, eff. July 12, 2007; 2014, P.A. 14-77, § 1.)
§ 22-344d. Signs required in pet shops selling dogs. Penalty
(a) A sign measuring not less than three inches in height and not less than five inches in width shall be posted on the cage of each dog offered for sale in a pet shop. The sign shall contain information printed in black lettering on a white background listing the breed of such dog, the locality and state in which such dog was born, and any individual identification number of such dog as listed on the official certificate of veterinary inspection from the state of origin.
(b) A sign shall be posted stating the following: “THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON ALL OUR PUPPIES: DATE OF BIRTH, THE STATE OF BIRTH, BREED, SEX AND COLOR, THE DATE THE PET SHOP RECEIVED THE PUPPY, THE NAMES AND REGISTRATION NUMBERS OF THE PARENTS (FOR AKC REGISTERABLE PUPPIES), RECORD OF INOCULATIONS AND WORMING TREATMENTS AND ANY RECORD OF ANY VETERINARY TREATMENT OR MEDICATIONS RECEIVED TO DATE.”. Such sign shall include a telephone number at the Department of Agriculture through which information may be obtained regarding complaints about diseased or disabled animals offered for sale. Such sign shall be posted in a place readily visible to the consumer where dogs are offered for sale and printed in black lettering not less than thirty-eight point size upon a white background.
(c) Each licensee shall post the United States Department of Agriculture inspection from the prior two-year period reports for the breeder of any dog offered for sale in a pet shop. Such inspection reports shall be posted next to or near the cage of each dog that was purchased from the breeder that is the subject of such inspection reports and made available to any patron regardless of whether such patron purchases said dog.
(d) Any licensee who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars.
Credits
(1998, P.A. 98-113, § 3; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004; 2014, P.A. 14-77, § 3.)
§ 22-344e. License required for procurement of dog or cat for resale. Penalty
No person shall procure any dog or cat for the purpose of resale unless such person: (1) Holds a pet shop license under section 22-344, or (2) resells such dog to a law enforcement agency or military branch of the federal, state or municipal government for the purpose of the performance of law enforcement or security work by such dog. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
Credits
(1998, P.A. 98-113, § 4; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 129; 2013, P.A. 13-39, § 1, eff. May 28, 2013.)
§ 22-344f. Veterinarian examination of cat or dog imported into state by animal importer. Records of veterinary services rendered to imported cat or dog. Fines
(a) Any animal importer and any person who operates or maintains an animal shelter, as defined in section 22-344, shall, not later than forty-eight hours after importing any dog or cat into this state and prior to the sale, adoption or transfer of such dog or cat to any person, provide for the examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384.1 Thereafter, such animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal shelter shall provide for the examination of such dog or cat by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 every ninety days until such dog or cat is sold, adopted or transferred, provided no such dog or cat shall be sold, adopted or transferred to another person by an animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal shelter unless (1) such dog or cat was examined by a veterinarian licensed under chapter 384 not more than fifteen days prior to the sale, adoption or transfer of such dog or cat, and (2) such veterinarian provides such animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal shelter with a written certificate stating that such dog or cat is free of any symptoms of any illness, infectious, contagious or communicable disease. Such certificate shall list the name, address and contact information of such animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal shelter. Any animal importer or person who operates or maintains an animal shelter who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined for a first violation, two hundred fifty dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation, and for any subsequent violation, five hundred dollars for each animal that is the subject of such violation.
(b) Each animal importer and each person who operates or maintains an animal shelter shall maintain a record of the veterinary services rendered to each dog or cat imported into this state by such animal importer or person. Such record shall be maintained by such animal importer or person for a period of three years. Any animal importer or such person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars for a first violation and five hundred dollars for any subsequent violation.
Credits
(2011, P.A. 11-187, § 2; 2021, P.A. 21-90, § 8, eff. June 28, 2021.)
§ 22-345. License and tag for service animals for persons with a disability
Any person with a disability who is the owner or keeper of a dog that has been trained as a service animal, is in training to become a service animal for such person, is in training to become a service animal or is enrolled in a program described in section 17a-22ee shall receive a license and tag for such dog from the town clerk of the town where such dog is owned or kept. Such license and tag shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 22-340, and no fee shall be required of the owner or keeper of any such dog. When any such dog has not been previously licensed by the town clerk to whom application is being made, and it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, such town clerk may inquire of such owner or keeper whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability and what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. Any person who has a dog placed with such person temporarily, including for breeding purposes, by a nonprofit organization established for the purpose of training or educating the dog as a service animal shall receive a license and tag for such dog from the town clerk of the town where such dog is kept. Such license and tag shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of section 22-340, and no fee shall be required for such license and tag, provided such person presents confirmation that such dog was placed with such person by such organization. As used in this section, (1) “disability” means any one or more of the following, as defined in section 46a-51: (A) An intellectual disability, (B) physically disabled, (C) a mental disability, or (D) a learning disability; and (2) “service animal” has the same meaning as provided in 28 CFR 35.104, as amended from time to time, and includes a service animal in training.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3391; 1953 Supp. §§ 1387c, 1829d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 16; 1976, P.A. 76-49, § 1; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 5; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 5; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 50, eff. June 28, 1993; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 6; 2022, P.A. 22-54, § 5, eff. June 1, 2023; 2024, P.A. 24-18, § 6, eff. July 1, 2024.)
§§ 22-345a, 22-345b. Transferred to C.G.S.A. §§ 46a-42, 46a-43 in Gen.St., Rev. to 1991
§ 22-346. Repealed. (1963, P.A. 641, § 2).
§ 22-346a. Transferred to C.G.S.A. § 46a-44 in Gen.St., Rev. to 1991
Within thirty days after receipt of the fees for dog licenses and tags, each town clerk shall deduct one dollar for each dog licensed, two dollars for each kennel license issued and fifty cents for each replacement tag issued and pay the balance to the town treasurer or other proper fiscal officer. Each town treasurer or fiscal officer, as the case may be, shall keep a separate dog fund account of all fees received from the town clerk, and all receipts from the municipal animal control officer and expended by said officer under the provisions of this chapter, and shall pay to the Commissioner of Agriculture, on September first of each year, fifty per cent of all moneys received from the sale of licenses prior to July first, or forty per cent of all such moneys if the town has made a survey of unlicensed dogs in accordance with the provisions of section 22-349, and include with such payment a statement of the number of licenses issued during such year. All moneys received from licenses sold after June thirtieth and all moneys received from the municipal animal control officer and all license fees returned to the town by the State Treasurer, at the request of the commissioner, shall be kept by the town treasurer or other fiscal officer in the separate dog fund account. The town treasurer or other fiscal officer shall, on the ensuing September first, send fifty per cent, or forty per cent as the case may be, of all license fees in such account to the commissioner, including any penalty fees collected pursuant to section 22-338. All payments to the commissioner shall be accompanied by an account thereof in a form prescribed by the commissioner and a copy of such account shall be sent to the commissioner. Upon the failure of any town treasurer or other fiscal officer to pay any amount due pursuant to this section, or any portion thereof, within forty-five days from its due date, the commissioner shall add interest of one and one-fourth per cent per month or fraction thereof on the amount unpaid per month or fraction thereof from the due date of such payment to the date of payment and a penalty in the amount of ten per cent of the amount unpaid or fifty dollars, whichever is greater. All funds in the dog fund account, except such funds as are to be sent to the commissioner, shall be used only for the compensation of municipal animal control officers, license certificates, tags, the construction and maintenance of dog pounds, the detention and care of impounded dogs in accordance with section 22-336, municipal animal control officer's equipment, dog supplies and such veterinary fees as are provided for by law or regulations and shall not be used for any other purpose except upon written approval of the commissioner. No fees paid into the treasury of the town for tags or licenses for dogs shall be paid back to the persons from whom they were collected.
Credits
(1949 Rev., §§ 3395, 3396; 1953, Supp. §§ 1391c, 1833d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 6; 1963, P.A. 613, § 18; 1980, P.A. 80-211, § 2; 1982, P.A. 82-323, § 6; 1982, P.A. 82-440, § 2, eff. June 8, 1982; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 1; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 13; 1991, P.A. 91-131, § 2; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 51, eff. June 28, 1993; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 4; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 6, eff. June 7, 2023.)
§ 22-348. Allocation of license fees to The University of Connecticut. Balance to towns - § 22-348. Repealed. (2023, P.A. 23-17, § 13, eff. June 7, 2023.)
Former text:
The Commissioner of Agriculture, at the end of each fiscal year, shall request that for each dog license issued during the fiscal year, ten cents is transferred, from fees received pursuant to section 22-347, to The University of Connecticut for investigation and research concerning the cause, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of canine diseases. The balance of such fees, if in excess of five thousand dollars, remaining unexpended on August first following shall be returned, pro rata, to the towns that paid the same, upon certification by the commissioner that the town receiving such rebate has complied with the provisions of this chapter and the regulations adopted hereunder. A balance of five thousand dollars or less of such funds shall be carried into the following fiscal year.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3397; 1953, Supp. §§ 1392c, 1834d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 7; 1963, P.A. 613, § 19; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 52, eff. June 28, 1993; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 1; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004.)
§ 22-349. Unlicensed dogs. Regulations. Impoundment
The town clerk of each town shall, annually, on or before July first, provide the municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer with a copy of each dog license issued by such clerk. Such municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer shall thereupon make diligent search for any unlicensed dog required to be licensed by section 22-338. The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 [FN1] establishing procedures for such search. If the owner of any such unlicensed dog is not known, the municipal animal control officer or regional animal control officer shall impound such dog. The owning or keeping of an unlicensed or impounded dog and the failure to purchase a license and pay the advertising and redemption fee within one hundred and twenty hours from the time the dog was impounded shall be an infraction.
[FN1] C.G.S.A. § 4-166 et seq.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3394; 1953, Supp. §§ 1390c, 1832d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 5; 1963, P.A. 613, § 20; 1976, P.A. 76-381, § 12; 1978, P.A. 78-48, § 2; 1979, P.A. 79-290, § 3, eff. July 1, 1979; 1982, P.A. 82-101, § 2, eff. July 1, 1982; 1985, P.A. 85-289, § 2; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 14.)
§ 22-350. Dogs as personal property. Tax exemption. Theft
All dogs are deemed to be personal property. License fees paid under the provisions of this chapter shall be in lieu of any tax on any dog. Any person who steals a dog may be prosecuted under section 22-351 or under sections 53a-118 to 53a-129, inclusive.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3393; 1953, Supp. §§ 1389c, 1831d; 1957, P.A. 143, § 1; 1963, P.A. 613, § 21; 1971, P.A. 871, § 100; 1992, May Sp.Sess., P.A. 92-11, § 7, eff. June 1, 1992.)
§ 22-350a. Tethering dog to stationary object or mobile device. Prohibited means. Retention of other protections afforded dogs. Confining or tethering dog for unreasonable period of time. Fines
(a) No person shall tether a dog to a stationary object or to a mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley (1) by means of a (A) tether that does not allow such dog to walk at least eight feet, excluding the length of such dog as measured from the tip of such dog's nose to the base of such dog's tail, in any one direction, (B) tether that does not have swivels on both ends to prevent twisting and tangling, unless a person is in the presence of such dog, (C) coat hanger, choke collar, prong-type collar, head halter or any other collar, halter or device that is not specifically designed or properly fitted for the restraint of such dog, (D) tether that has weights attached or that contains metal chain links more than one-quarter of an inch thick, or (E) tether that allows such dog to reach an object or hazard, including, but not limited to, a window sill, edge of a pool, fence, public road or highway, porch or terrace railing that poses a risk of injury or strangulation to such dog if such dog walks into or jumps over such object or hazard, unless a person is in the presence of such dog; or (2) without providing such dog potable water at least twice in each twenty-four-hour period. The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be construed to apply to: (i) Any veterinary practice licensed pursuant to section 20-197 that tethers a dog in the course of such veterinary practice, (ii) any exhibition, show, contest or other temporary event in which the skill, breeding or stamina of such dog is judged or examined, (iii) any exhibition, class, training session or other temporary event in which such dog is used in a lawful manner to hunt a species of wildlife during the hunting season for such species of wildlife or in which such dog receives training in a lawful manner to hunt such species of wildlife, (iv) the temporary tethering of a dog at any camping or recreation area as expressly authorized by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or (v) the temporary tethering of a dog at a grooming facility in the course of grooming such dog.
(b) When either a weather advisory or warning is issued by the National Weather Service, or outdoor environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail, pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of a dog based on such dog's breed, size, age, thickness of coat or physical condition, no person shall (1) tether such dog outdoors to a stationary object or mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley, unless such tethering is for a duration of not more than fifteen minutes, or (2) fail to provide such dog adequate shelter for a duration of more than fifteen minutes, unless such person is in the presence of such dog and outdoors during such advisory or warning or exposed to such outdoor environmental conditions.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any protection afforded to any dog pursuant to any other provision of the general statutes, regulations of the Connecticut state agencies, local ordinance or local regulation.
(d) Any person who confines or tethers a dog for an unreasonable period of time or in violation of the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be fined one hundred dollars for the first offense, two hundred dollars for a second offense, and not less than two hundred fifty dollars or more than five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent offense.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “adequate shelter” means a structure that (1) provides natural or artificial light during daylight hours; (2) offers space adequate for a dog to sit, lie down and turn; (3) is soundly constructed, maintained in good repair and free from accumulated animal waste, debris and moisture, including, but not limited to, standing water and mud, inside and in the immediate vicinity of such shelter; (4) permits a dog access to potable water at least twice in each twenty-four-hour period; (5) during cold outdoor environmental conditions described in subsection (b) of this section, (A) is enclosed and insulated to an extent sufficient to permit a dog to maintain normal body temperature, (B) features a solid roof, solid walls and wind-protected opening for entry and exit, (C) is raised two or more inches off the ground, and (D) contains dry bedding; (6) during extreme heat outdoor weather environmental conditions described in subsection (b) of this section, provides shade and ventilation sufficient to permit a dog to maintain normal body temperature; (7) does not contain a space heater or wood or fuel burning equipment utilized for space heating; (8) is not located under exterior stairs or underneath or inside a motor vehicle; and (9) if the floor of such structure is constructed using wire or metal chain links, such links are appropriately sized so that a dog's paws will not become caught in such links.
Credits
(2003, P.A. 03-212, § 1; 2010, P.A. 10-100, § 1; 2011, P.A. 11-80, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; 2013, P.A. 13-189, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013; 2022, P.A. 22-59, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.)
§ 22-351. Theft, killing or injury of companion animal. Penalty. Liability
(a) Any person who steals, confines or conceals any companion animal, as defined in section 22-351a, or who, with the intention of stealing such companion animal or concealing its identity or the identity of its owner or with the intention of concealing the fact that the companion animal is licensed, removes the collar or harness or tag from any licensed companion animal, or who unlawfully kills or injures any companion animal, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. For a second offense, or for an offense involving more than one companion animal, any such person shall be guilty of a class E felony.
(b) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be liable to the owner in a civil action, except that, if such person intentionally kills or injures any companion animal, such person shall be liable to the owner in a civil action as provided in section 22-351a.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3401; 1953, Supp. §§ 1397c, 1839d; 1957, P.A. 143, § 2; 1963, P.A. 613, § 22; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 53, eff. June 28, 1993; 2004, P.A. 04-239, § 2; 2005, P.A. 05-288, § 90, eff. July 13, 2005; 2013, P.A. 13-258, § 24.)
§ 22-351a. Liability for intentionally killing or injuring companion animal
(a) No person shall tether a dog to a stationary object or to a mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley (1) by means of a (A) tether that does not allow such dog to walk at least eight feet, excluding the length of such dog as measured from the tip of such dog's nose to the base of such dog's tail, in any one direction, (B) tether that does not have swivels on both ends to prevent twisting and tangling, unless a person is in the presence of such dog, (C) coat hanger, choke collar, prong-type collar, head halter or any other collar, halter or device that is not specifically designed or properly fitted for the restraint of such dog, (D) tether that has weights attached or that contains metal chain links more than one-quarter of an inch thick, or (E) tether that allows such dog to reach an object or hazard, including, but not limited to, a window sill, edge of a pool, fence, public road or highway, porch or terrace railing that poses a risk of injury or strangulation to such dog if such dog walks into or jumps over such object or hazard, unless a person is in the presence of such dog; or (2) without providing such dog potable water at least twice in each twenty-four-hour period. The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be construed to apply to: (i) Any veterinary practice licensed pursuant to section 20-197 that tethers a dog in the course of such veterinary practice, (ii) any exhibition, show, contest or other temporary event in which the skill, breeding or stamina of such dog is judged or examined, (iii) any exhibition, class, training session or other temporary event in which such dog is used in a lawful manner to hunt a species of wildlife during the hunting season for such species of wildlife or in which such dog receives training in a lawful manner to hunt such species of wildlife, (iv) the temporary tethering of a dog at any camping or recreation area as expressly authorized by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or (v) the temporary tethering of a dog at a grooming facility in the course of grooming such dog.
(b) When either a weather advisory or warning is issued by the National Weather Service, or outdoor environmental conditions, including, but not limited to, extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, snow or hail, pose an adverse risk to the health or safety of a dog based on such dog's breed, size, age, thickness of coat or physical condition, no person shall (1) tether such dog outdoors to a stationary object or mobile device, including, but not limited to, a trolley or pulley, unless such tethering is for a duration of not more than fifteen minutes, or (2) fail to provide such dog adequate shelter for a duration of more than fifteen minutes, unless such person is in the presence of such dog and outdoors during such advisory or warning or exposed to such outdoor environmental conditions.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any protection afforded to any dog pursuant to any other provision of the general statutes, regulations of the Connecticut state agencies, local ordinance or local regulation.
(d) Any person who confines or tethers a dog for an unreasonable period of time or in violation of the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall be fined one hundred dollars for the first offense, two hundred dollars for a second offense, and not less than two hundred fifty dollars or more than five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent offense.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “adequate shelter” means a structure that (1) provides natural or artificial light during daylight hours; (2) offers space adequate for a dog to sit, lie down and turn; (3) is soundly constructed, maintained in good repair and free from accumulated animal waste, debris and moisture, including, but not limited to, standing water and mud, inside and in the immediate vicinity of such shelter; (4) permits a dog access to potable water at least twice in each twenty-four-hour period; (5) during cold outdoor environmental conditions described in subsection (b) of this section, (A) is enclosed and insulated to an extent sufficient to permit a dog to maintain normal body temperature, (B) features a solid roof, solid walls and wind-protected opening for entry and exit, (C) is raised two or more inches off the ground, and (D) contains dry bedding; (6) during extreme heat outdoor weather environmental conditions described in subsection (b) of this section, provides shade and ventilation sufficient to permit a dog to maintain normal body temperature; (7) does not contain a space heater or wood or fuel burning equipment utilized for space heating; (8) is not located under exterior stairs or underneath or inside a motor vehicle; and (9) if the floor of such structure is constructed using wire or metal chain links, such links are appropriately sized so that a dog's paws will not become caught in such links.
Credits
(2003, P.A. 03-212, § 1; 2010, P.A. 10-100, § 1; 2011, P.A. 11-80, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; 2013, P.A. 13-189, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013; 2022, P.A. 22-59, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.)
[FN1] C.G.S.A. § 20-196 et seq.
§ 22-352. Change of residence of owner
Any dog licensed as provided in this chapter may be kept in any town in this state under such license until the June thirtieth succeeding the date thereof, if the owner maintains a residence in the town where such license was issued. If any owner discontinues such residence and takes up residence in another town, he shall present the license and tag to the town clerk of such town and, for a fee of fifty cents, the town clerk shall issue a new license and tag for the town in which the owner now resides. Such town clerk shall retain the old license and tag in his possession.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3398; 1953, Supp. §§ 1393c, 1835d; 1957, P.A. 440, § 8; 1963, P.A. 613, § 23.)
§ 22-353. Repealed. (1997, P.A. 97-234, § 11.)
§ 22-354. Imported dogs and cats. Certificates of health. Importation from rabies quarantine area. Sale of young puppies and kittens. Sale of dogs by pet shop licensees. Certificate of origin required. Purchase of dog or cat from outside of state. Penalties
(a) Any dog or cat imported into this state shall be accompanied by a certificate of health issued no earlier than thirty days prior to the date of importation by a licensed, graduate veterinarian accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture stating that such dog or cat is free from symptoms of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease, and that such dog or cat, if three months of age or older, is currently vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian. A copy of such health certificate shall be forwarded promptly to the commissioner from the livestock sanitary official of the state of origin. Any dog or cat originating from a rabies quarantine area shall have permission of the State Veterinarian prior to importation into this state. No person, firm or corporation shall import or export for the purposes of sale, adoption or transfer or offering for sale, adoption or transfer any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks unless such dog or cat is transported with its dam and no person, firm or corporation shall sell or offer for adoption or transfer within the state any dog or cat under the age of eight weeks. Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this subsection or bringing any dog or cat into this state from an area under quarantine for rabies shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars.
(b) Any dog sold or offered for sale by a pet shop licensee in this state shall be accompanied by a certificate of origin identifying the name and address of the person, firm or corporation that bred such dog and of any person, firm or corporation that sold such dog to such pet shop licensee. Such certificate shall be in a form as prescribed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. Such information contained in the certificate of origin shall be posted on the sign described in section 22-344d and such information shall be visible to customers. A copy of such certificate shall be provided to the purchaser of such dog at the time of sale and shall be filed by such licensee with the Department of Agriculture not later than seven days after such sale. No pet shop licensee shall purchase a dog or cat for resale or sell or offer for sale any dog or cat purchased from: (1) Any breeder that (A) is not in possession of a current license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture and any applicable state agency, (B) was found to have committed a direct violation of pet dealer-related regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture during the two-year period prior to such purchase, or (C) was found to have committed three or more indirect violations of pet dealer-related regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture during the two-year period prior to such purchase provided such violations pertained to the health or welfare of an animal and were not administrative in nature; or (2) any other person, firm or corporation that: (A) Is not in possession of a current license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture and any applicable state agency, (B) was found to have committed a direct violation of pet dealer-related regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture during the two-year period prior to such purchase, (C) was found to have committed three or more indirect violations of pet dealer-related regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture during the two-year period prior to such purchase provided such violations pertained to the health or welfare of an animal and were not administrative in nature, or (D) directly or indirectly, has obtained such dog or cat from a breeder described in subdivision (1) of this subsection. Any pet shop licensee violating the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars for each violation. Each day a pet shop licensee is in violation of this subsection shall constitute a separate offense.
Credits
(1951, Supp. § 713b; 1953, Supp. §§ 1395c, 1837d; 1957, P.A. 74, § 2; 1963, P.A. 613, § 25; 1974, P.A. 74-22; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 5, eff. April 12, 1991; 1996, P.A. 96-243, § 14, eff. June 6, 1996; 2004, P.A. 04-145, § 2, eff. May 21, 2004; 2009, P.A. 09-228, § 3, eff. July 1, 2009; 2010, P.A. 10-100, § 2; 2011, P.A. 11-187, § 3; 2014, P.A. 14-77, § 4; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 7, eff. July 1, 2023.)
§ 22-354a. Payment contracts and lease agreements for ownership of dogs or cats. Voided. Ownership of affected dog or cat. Exemptions
(a) Any contract entered into on or after October 1, 2019, that is described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be deemed void: (1) A contract to transfer ownership of a dog or cat that is contingent upon the making of payments over a period of time by one party subsequent to the transfer of possession of such dog or cat to such party, and (2) any contract for the lease of a dog or cat that provides for or offers the option of the transfer of ownership of such dog or cat at the end of such lease. The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any payment to repay an unsecured loan for the purchase of any dog or cat.
(b) In addition to any other remedy provided under state or federal law, any person who takes possession of a dog or cat that is transferred pursuant to a contract described in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed the owner of such dog or cat and shall be entitled to the return of all amounts said person paid pursuant to such contract.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to any lease or rental of any of the following animals provided such animal is used in accordance with any applicable provision of federal or state law or any municipal ordinance: (1) Any purebred dog that is rented for the purpose of breeding, pursuant to a written lease, when such lease is recorded with a national purebred dog registry and such lease is for a specific period of time and contains an end date for such lease, (2) any animal used in a spectator event, show, exhibition, motion picture, audiovisual media, including, but not limited to, any animal exhibition, any racing event, any field trial, polo or any rodeo, or (3) any working animal that is trained or utilized to perform tasks, including, but not limited to, service animals, security dogs, law enforcement dogs and any assistance animal. For the purposes of this subsection, “service animal” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-345.
Credits
(2019, P.A. 19-82, § 1, eff. July 8, 2019; 2024, P.A. 24-18, § 7, eff. July 1, 2024.
§ 22-355. Damage by dogs to domestic animals
(a) When any person sustains damage by dogs to such person's sheep, goats, horses, hogs, cattle, poultry or domestic rabbits kept in enclosures as described in subsection (f) of this section, such person shall report such damage to the chief administrative officer of the town in which such damage was sustained, or the chief administrative officer's agent, or, if such damage was sustained on land located in two or more towns, such person shall report such damage to such authority of either of such towns. Upon receiving such report, the authority, with the person claiming to have sustained such damage, shall estimate the amount of such damage, including expenses of veterinary care, the fair monetary value of the animals or poultry killed, injured or damaged by such dogs and burial expenses for the animals or poultry killed by such dogs. If such authority and the person claiming to have sustained such damage are unable to agree as to the amount thereof, they shall choose some disinterested third person to assist in estimating the damage. Information required by this subsection shall be given within twenty-four hours after the person claiming under this section has or should have had knowledge of the same or, if the intervention of a Sunday or holiday prevents the reporting thereof, on the next succeeding business day. No claim for such damages shall be allowed to any person (1) who owns, keeps or has in possession any unlicensed dog, (2) whose employee, living on the premises, keeps an unlicensed dog which is six months of age or over, or (3) who fails to report such damage within the time limited by this section. The burden of proving the allegations of any claim under this section shall be on the person claiming under this section.
(b) The amount of damage agreed upon or estimated by any two of such three persons shall be paid by such town, and the town may recover such amount, when paid, with the compensation of such disinterested third person, from the owners, keepers or harborers of such dogs, if such persons are the residents of the town. If the owners, keepers or harborers of such dogs are not residents of the town in which the damage has been done, the town paying the damage may recover such damage and compensation from the town or towns where such owners, keepers or harborers reside, unless such owners, keepers or harborers, or such town or towns, on notice, pay to the treasurer of the town which paid such damage the amount of such damage and compensation. Any town which is obliged to pay any such damage may recover the amount thereof from the owners, keepers or harborers of the dogs doing such damage.
(c) When additional or increased damages are claimed to sheep, goats, horses, hogs, cattle, poultry or domestic rabbits, which damages were not apparent at, and accrued subsequent to, the first appraisal of damage, a supplemental notice of such claim for additional damage may be given to such authority at any time within thirty days from the discovery of the original damage. The supplemental notice of claim shall set forth the facts upon which such claim is based. The claim shall be made to such authority and shall be acted upon in the manner provided in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(d) Any authority who has received notice pursuant to the provisions of this section and within a period of fifteen days after receiving such notice, fails to estimate the amount of such damage, or if such authority is unable, within a period of five days, to agree with the person claiming to have sustained such damage as to the amount thereof, or fails to agree with such person on a disinterested third person to assist in estimating such damage, or if such authority and such person agree on such disinterested third person and two of such three persons fail to agree as to the amount of such damage, the person who claims to have sustained damage may institute a civil action against the town in which the damage was sustained for the recovery of such damage. No such action shall be maintained unless brought within one year from the date the damage was sustained.
(e) When the selectmen, town manager or other chief executive officer of the town receives notice from any person claiming to have sustained damage by dogs to his sheep, goats, horses, hogs, cattle, poultry or domestic rabbits in excess of one hundred dollars, such authority shall, within twenty-four hours, report the same to the commissioner for investigation and shall call upon the commissioner or his agent to act for the town in appraising the damage as provided in subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this section. The fact that said commissioner or his agent has acted for such authority shall not bar an action for the recovery of the damage as provided in subsection (d) of this section.
(f) Sheep, goats, horses, hogs, cattle, poultry and domestic rabbits shall be confined or shall be enclosed by a fence or wall of material and height sufficient to restrain them from roaming. In any case in which any town has paid an amount in excess of one hundred dollars for such damage to the owner of any such animal or poultry, and the amount of such damage cannot be collected from the owners, keepers or harborers of such dogs, the selectmen, town manager or other chief executive officer of such town, city or borough shall forward to the commissioner a statement of the facts, showing the amount so paid, and the State Treasurer, at the request of the commissioner, shall reimburse such town, city or borough for the amount of such damage, from the funds received by the state under the provisions of this chapter.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3402; 1953, Supp. §§ 1398c, 1840d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 26; 1971, P.A. 74, §§ 1, 2; 1985, P.A. 85-145, § 1; 1991, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 91-10, § 11, eff. Oct. 2, 1991; 1993, P.A. 93-435, § 54, eff. June 28, 1993; 2001, P.A. 01-62, § 5; 2005, P.A. 05-288, §§ 91, 92, eff. July 13, 2005; 2013, P.A. 13-223, § 2.)
§ 22-356. Damage by two or more dogs
If any person has been damaged in person or property by two or more dogs at the same time, kept by two or more persons, the owners or keepers of such dogs shall be jointly and severally liable for such damage.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 3403; 1953 Supp. §§ 1399c, 1841d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 27.)
§ 22-357. Damage by dogs to person or property
(a) As used in this section:
(1) “Law enforcement officer” means: Each officer, employee or other person otherwise paid by or acting as an agent of (A) the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; (B) the Office of the State Capitol Police; (C) a municipal police department; and (D) the Department of Correction;
(2) “Property” includes, but is not limited to, a companion animal, as defined in section 22-351a;
(3) “The amount of such damage”, with respect to a companion animal, includes expenses of veterinary care, the fair monetary value of the companion animal, including all training expenses for a service animal owned by a person with a disability and burial expenses for the companion animal;
(4) “Service animal” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-345; and
(5) “Disability” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-345.
(b) If any dog does any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner, keeper, or both, shall be liable for the amount of such damage, except when such damage has been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog. If the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for the amount of such damage. If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, was under seven years of age at the time such damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action. In an action under this section against a household member of a law enforcement officer to whom has been assigned a dog owned by a law enforcement agency of the state, any political subdivision of the state or the federal government for damage done by such dog, it shall be presumed that such household member is not a keeper of such dog and the burden of proof shall be upon the plaintiff to establish that such household member was a keeper of such dog and had exclusive control of such dog at the time such damage was sustained.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3404; 1953, Supp. §§ 1400c, 1842d; 1969, P.A. 439, § 1, eff. June 16, 1969; 2013, P.A. 13-223, § 1; 2015, P.A. 15-26, § 1; 2017, P.A. 17-12, § 1; 2018, P.A. 18-131, § 1, eff. June 11, 2018; 2024, P.A. 24-18, § 8, eff. July 1, 2024; 2024, P.A. 24-108, § 40, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.)
§ 22-358. Killing of dogs doing damage. Restraint or disposal orders. Notice. Seizure. Euthanasia and examination of potentially rabid animals. Complaints by persons sustaining damage by dog to poultry, ratite, domestic rabbit, companion animal or livestock. Orders. Appeals
(a) Any owner or keeper of any animal or poultry, or an agent of such owner or keeper, or any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, or any police officer, including a state police officer, may kill any dog while the dog is in the act of biting, attacking or pursuing any such animal or poultry of the owner or keeper. Any owner, keeper, animal control officer or police officer who kills such dog shall make complaint concerning the circumstances of the attack to any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-331a of the town where such attack occurred. The animal control officer to whom such complaint is made shall investigate the circumstances of the attack set forth in the complaint and report on the circumstances of the attack to the Chief State Animal Control Officer, appointed pursuant to section 22-328.
(b) Any person who is protecting himself or herself or another person or animal from physical harm while being bitten or attacked by a dog, cat or other animal when such person is not upon the premises of the owner or keeper of such dog, cat or other animal may kill such dog, cat or other animal during such attack. Any person who kills such animal shall make complaint concerning the circumstances of the attack to any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-331a of the town where such attack occurred. The animal control officer to whom such complaint is made shall investigate the circumstances of the attack set forth in the complaint and report on the circumstances of the attack to the Chief State Animal Control Officer, appointed pursuant to section 22-328.
(c) In the interest of public health and safety, if after investigation, any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a in the municipality or region in which an alleged dog bite or attack occurs determines that a person has in fact been bitten or attacked by a dog, such animal control officer may make any order concerning the restraint or disposal of such biting or attacking dog as is necessary to protect public health and safety. In determining the type of order to be issued or conditions of restraint to be imposed, the animal control officer shall consider factors that include, but need not be limited to: (1) The ability of the owner or keeper of the dog, if any, to control the animal; (2) the severity of injury inflicted on a person by the biting or attacking dog; (3) the viciousness of the bite or attack; (4) any history of past bites or attacks by the dog; (5) whether the bite or attack occurred at a location that is off of the property of the owner or keeper of the dog; (6) whether the biting or attacking dog was provoked; and (7) whether the biting or attacking dog was protecting its owner or keeper from physical harm.
(d) Any dog, while biting, attacking or pursuing deer, may be killed by any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, or by a conservation officer or special conservation officer appointed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or by any police officer, including a state police officer. The owner or keeper of any dog found biting, attacking or pursuing a deer shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
(e) Any person who kills any dog, cat or other animal in accordance with the provisions of this section shall not be held criminally or civilly liable therefor.
(f) Repealed by P.A. 19-197, S. 1.
(g) Repealed by P.A. 05-175, S. 24.
(h) The following shall apply to any order issued pursuant to this section:
(1) In the interest of public health and safety, and the health and safety of animals, whenever an order issued pursuant to this section requires the restraint of an animal, the order shall be effective upon its issuance and shall remain in effect during any appeal of such order;
(2) In the interest of public health and safety, and the health and safety of animals, whenever an order issued pursuant to this section requires the disposal of an animal, the issuing officer shall take physical custody and retain possession of the animal subject to the order during any appeal of such order;
(3) Not later than twenty-four hours after the issuance of any order issued pursuant to this section, a copy of the order shall be delivered to the owner or keeper of the biting or attacking animal, and the person bitten or attacked, or to the owner or keeper of an animal which has been bitten or attacked. The order shall also include a statement informing the owner or keeper of the biting or attacking animal of their right to pursue an appeal of the order;
(4) Not later than fifteen days after the date of an order issued pursuant to this section by any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-331a, the municipality in which the attack occurred shall offer in writing to the dog owner a pre-appeal meeting, which may include the owner or keeper of the animal subject to the order and the person who was bitten or attacked, or the owner or keeper of an animal which has been bitten or attacked, to determine if the order is in dispute. At such meeting the owner or keeper of the animal subject to the order and their legal counsel, if any, the animal control officer issuing the order and the animal control officer's appointing authority, or their designee, may stipulate to an alternate order. All settlement discussions that occur during the pre-appeal meeting shall be confidential and protected from disclosure under state law;
(5) A statement of the conclusion of the pre-appeal meeting, including only the names of the attending parties, the date of the prehearing meeting and whether the order was modified, shall be provided by the municipality to the owner or keeper of the animal subject to the order, and the victim or the owner or keeper of an animal which has been bitten or attacked, not later than twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the pre-appeal meeting. If a pre-appeal meeting statement is issued pursuant to this subdivision, then the time to appeal to the Superior Court shall run from the date of the issuance of such statement. If there is no pre-appeal meeting, then the time to appeal to the Superior Court runs from the date of the order;
(6) Any person aggrieved by any order issued under the provisions of this section by the commissioner or any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, may appeal to the Superior Court of the judicial district in which such aggrieved person is a resident, provided such appeal is made not later than forty-five days after issuance of the order. If the person aggrieved by an order engages in a pre-appeal meeting under subdivision (4) of this subsection, then the time to appeal to the Superior Court shall run from the date of the statement issued pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection. The pre-appeal meeting shall be concluded for purposes of this section not later than thirty days after the date of the order;
(7) The owner or keeper of any animal subject to an order issued pursuant to this section shall pay all fees as set forth in section 22-333. If an owner or keeper of an animal subject to an order issued pursuant to this section fails to comply with any restraint order made pursuant to this section, any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a may seize the animal prior to or during the pendency of an appeal and until completion of an appeal of such order to ensure such compliance and the owner shall be responsible for any expenses resulting from such seizure;
(8) Once the order becomes a final order or judgment, the order is enforceable on a state-wide basis and any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a shall have the authority to enforce the final order or judgment; and
(9) Any owner or keeper of an animal subject to a final order or judgment issued pursuant to this subsection who fails to comply with a final order or judgment shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
(i) A person who sustains damage or physical injury to such person's poultry, ratite, domestic rabbit, animal or livestock as defined in section 22-278, by a biting or attacking dog shall make complaint concerning circumstances of the bite or attack by such dog on any such animal or livestock to the animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-331a of the town in which the bite or attack occurred. The animal control officer to whom such complaint is made shall investigate the circumstances of the attack set forth in the complaint and report on the circumstances of the attack to the Chief State Animal Control Officer, appointed pursuant to section 22-328. An officer to whom such complaint is made shall immediately investigate such complaint. In the interest of public health and safety, and the health and safety of animals, if after investigation, any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-331 or 22-331a in the municipality or region in which an alleged dog bite or attack occurs determines that an animal has in fact been bitten or attacked by a dog, such animal control officer, or the Chief State Animal Control Officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, may make any order concerning the restraint or disposal of such biting or attacking dog as is necessary to protect public health and safety and the health and safety of animals. In determining the type of order to be issued or conditions of restraint to be imposed, the animal control officer shall consider factors that include, but need not be limited to: (1) The ability of the owner or keeper to control the dog; (2) the severity of injury inflicted by the biting or attacking dog; (3) the viciousness of the bite or attack; (4) any history of past bites or attacks by the dog; (5) whether the bite or attack occurred at a location that is off of the property of the owner or keeper of the biting or attacking dog, provided the animal attacked was under the control of animal's owner or keeper, or the animal attacked was on property of the owner or keeper; (6) whether the biting or attacking dog was provoked; and (7) whether the biting or attacking dog was protecting its owner or keeper from physical harm.
(j) Any dog or other animal owned by the United States military, a law enforcement agency of the United States or a law enforcement agency of this state or any of its political subdivisions shall be exempt from the provisions of this section when such dog or other animal is owned by or in the custody and control of such agency and under the direct supervision, care and control of an assigned handler, is currently vaccinated for rabies and is subject to routine veterinary care. Any service animal owned by or in the custody and control of a person with a disability shall be exempt from the provisions of this section when such service animal is under the direct supervision, care and control of such person, is currently vaccinated for rabies and is subject to routine veterinary care. As used in this subsection, “service animal” and “disability” have the same meanings as provided in section 22-345.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3405; 1953, Supp. §§ 1401c, 1483d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 28; 1965, Feb.Sp.Sess., P.A. 23, § 1, eff. May 5, 1965; 1969, P.A. 35; 1971, P.A. 725; 1973, P.A. 73-28; 1979, P.A. 79-290, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 1979; 1983, P.A. 83-71, § 1; 1984, P.A. 84-546, § 67, eff. June 14, 1984; 1985, P.A. 85-57, § 1, eff. April 22, 1985; 1989, P.A. 89-161, § 6, eff. June 1, 1989; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 6, eff. April 12, 1991; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 16; 1991, P.A. 91-215, § 2; 1992, P.A. 92-77, § 1, eff. May 19, 1992; 1993, P.A. 93-381, § 9, eff. July 1, 1993; 1995, P.A. 95-257, §§ 12, 21, eff. July 1, 1995; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 15, eff. July 1, 1998; 2000, P.A. 00-88, § 1; 2002, P.A. 02-14, § 2, eff. July 1, 2002; 2003, June 30 Sp.Sess., P.A. 03-6, § 146, eff. July 1, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-145, § 3, eff. May 21, 2004; 2004, P.A. 04-189, § 1, eff. June 1, 2004; 2005, P.A. 05-175, § 24, eff. July 1, 2005; 2007, P.A. 07-59, § 1; 2008, P.A. 08-124, § 8, eff. June 2, 2008; 2011, P.A. 11-80, § 1, eff. July 1, 2011; 2011, P.A. 11-182, § 1; 2012, P.A. 12-21, § 1; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 130; 2019, P.A. 19-197, § 1, eff. July 1, 2019; 2024, P.A. 24-108, § 28, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.)
§ 22-359. Control of rabies. Regulations
(a) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may make such orders for the testing for rabies, adequate confinement, quarantine, control or humane euthanasia of any dog, cat or other animal as necessary to prevent the spread of rabies and to protect the public. Any local director of health may order the humane euthanasia of any unowned animal that is not currently vaccinated for rabies for the purpose of rabies testing if the director finds that the animal has bitten a person and the health or life of such person may be threatened.
(b) The commissioner or any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a shall quarantine any animal in a public pound, veterinary hospital, kennel or other building or enclosure approved by the commissioner for such purpose, if in the determination of the commissioner or such officer, such animal is rabid or is suspected of being rabid, or has been bitten by, or may have been bitten by, or has been in contact with or exposed to, a rabid animal or an animal suspected of carrying rabies or any wild animal as defined in subsection (d) of this section. The length of such quarantine period shall be determined by the commissioner or the State Veterinarian who shall take into account the age, general health and vaccination history of the animal as well as current accepted veterinary practices. Any suspected or confirmed case of rabies shall be reported by such officer to the State Veterinarian not later than twenty-four hours of receipt of such information.
(c) Whenever a person, companion animal or other animal has been bitten or attacked by a dog, cat or ferret, any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a shall quarantine such biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret for ten days. During such quarantine such biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall be observed for clinical signs of rabies. On the tenth day of such quarantine, such dog, cat or ferret shall be examined by the State Veterinarian or a person designated by the State Veterinarian to determine whether such quarantine shall be continued or removed. The quarantine of a biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall conform to one of the following: (1) When the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret has a current rabies vaccination, the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall be quarantined in a public pound or in a veterinary hospital or in a commercial kennel approved by the State Veterinarian for such purpose or on the premises of the owner or keeper of such biting dog, cat or ferret when such premises is adequate for the confinement of such animal, as determined by the authority that issued such order; or (2) when the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret does not have a current rabies vaccination, the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret shall be quarantined in a public pound or in a veterinary hospital or in a commercial kennel approved by the State Veterinarian for such purpose, or the dog, cat or ferret may be quarantined or confined on the premises of the owner or keeper of the biting or attacking dog, cat or ferret due to medical necessity determined by a licensed veterinarian when such premises is adequate for the confinement of such animal and acceptable to the municipality or agency issuing the quarantine order and provided such animal is vaccinated for rabies by a licensed veterinarian on the tenth day of such quarantine.
(d) The management, confinement, quarantine or disposition of biting or attacking animals other than dogs, cats or ferrets shall be determined by the State Veterinarian who shall take into account the age, general health, rabies vaccination status of the biting or attacking animal, the rabies vaccination status of the animal exposed to or bitten by rabid or suspected rabid wildlife and the current national recommendations for the prevention and control of rabies.
(e) The owner or keeper of any animal that has been quarantined or confined pursuant to this section may authorize the humane euthanasia of such animal by a licensed veterinarian at any time before the end of the quarantine or confinement period for the purpose of testing such animal for rabies. Any animal so euthanized shall be examined for rabies by the Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory or any laboratory authorized by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The veterinarian performing the euthanasia shall be responsible for ensuring that the head of the euthanized animal is delivered to the appropriate laboratory for rabies examination not later than forty-eight hours after such euthanasia. The costs of any such quarantine, veterinary examination, rabies vaccination, euthanasia and rabies testing shall be the responsibility of the owner or keeper of any animal quarantined or confined pursuant to this section.
(f) Any dog, cat or other animal held in quarantine that is clinically diagnosed as rabid by a licensed veterinarian or the State Veterinarian shall be humanely euthanized immediately without prior notice to the owner or keeper of same. No person who humanely euthanizes any animal in accordance with this subsection shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor. Any animal that is humanely euthanized pursuant to this subsection shall be examined for rabies by the Connecticut Department of Public Health Laboratory or any laboratory authorized by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The veterinarian performing the euthanasia shall be responsible for ensuring that the head of the euthanized animal is delivered to the appropriate laboratory for rabies examination not later than forty-eight hours after being euthanized.
(g) Any animal, other than a dog, that is quarantined pursuant to this section which is not claimed by its owner or keeper not later than five days after the expiration of such quarantine may be sold or given away by the municipal or regional animal control officer provided the animal is in good health. The animal may only be sold or given away as a pet to a person who satisfies such officer that the animal will be given a good home and proper care. The municipal animal control officer may retain possession of such animal for such additional period of time as necessary to place such animal. Any animal, other than a dog, that is quarantined pursuant to this section and that is not claimed by its owner or keeper not later than five days after the expiration of such quarantine and that is not sold by the municipal or regional animal control officer not later than five days after the expiration of such quarantine, may be disposed of at the direction of the State Veterinarian. No person who disposes of any animal in accordance with this subsection shall be held criminally or civilly liable therefor.
(h) Any animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a or any state or municipal police officer may immediately kill any wild animal that displays behavior that causes the commissioner, the State Veterinarian, a state or municipal police officer or such animal control officer to reasonably conclude that such animal is rabid. For purposes of this section, “wild animal” means any mammal which is ferae naturae or wild by nature.
(i) The commissioner shall institute such measures as the commissioner deems necessary to prevent the transmission of rabies associated with animals in public settings, including, but not limited to, fairs, shows, exhibitions, petting zoos, riding stables, farm tours, pet shops and educational exhibits.
(j) The commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54,1 to implement the provisions of subsection (i) of this section. Such regulations may include requirements for the vaccination of animals against rabies, identification of animals, identification of owners or keepers of such animals, animal enclosures, posting of public advisories, reporting of rabies exposure incidents, records deemed necessary and proper relating to the vaccination of animals against rabies, and any other methods determined by the commissioner to prevent the transmission of rabies. Such regulations may consider the species of animal, the characteristics of the public settings and the nature and type of contact the public may have with animals.
(k) Any suspected or confirmed case of rabies shall be reported to the State Veterinarian by the testing diagnostic laboratory or a local director of health or any licensed veterinarian not later than twenty-four hours after receipt of such information.
(l) Any person who fails to comply with any order issued pursuant to this section shall be fined two hundred fifty dollars. Any dog, cat or other animal subject to a quarantine or confinement order issued pursuant to this section whose owner or keeper fails to comply with such quarantine order may be seized by any state, municipal or regional animal control officer and held in quarantine until such quarantine is complete and the dog, cat or other animal is examined by a licensed veterinarian. All costs associated with a failure to comply with a quarantine or confinement order issued pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to, the costs of seizure, care, handling, veterinary examination and rabies vaccination shall be paid by the owner or keeper of such animal prior to the release of such animal to such owner or keeper.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3407; 1953, Supp. §§ 1404c, 1845d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 29; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 7, eff. April 12, 1991; 1992, P.A. 92-77, § 2, eff. May 19, 1992; 1997, P.A. 97-187, § 2, eff. July 1, 1997; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 16, eff. July 1, 1998; 2006, P.A. 06-105, § 4; 2019, P.A. 19-197, § 2, eff. July 1, 2019; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 8, eff. June 7, 2023.)
[FN1] C.G.S.A. § 4-166 et seq.
§ 22-359a. Clinic for vaccination against rabies
(a) On or before June first, annually, the town clerk and the director of health of any municipality or health district, in consultation with the municipal animal control officer of the municipality or the regional animal control officer, may arrange for a low-cost clinic for the vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies. Such clinic shall be conducted with the cooperation and participation of a licensed veterinarian. The owner or keeper of a dog or cat vaccinated at such clinic shall pay the cost of vaccination.
(b) The town clerk, municipal animal control officer of the municipality or regional animal control officer may make provisions for the licensing of dogs vaccinated at an antirabies clinic at the time of vaccination.
CREDIT(S)
(1985, P.A. 85-167, § 5, eff. Oct. 1, 1985; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 17.)
A rabies vaccine used at an antirabies clinic shall be administered in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Department of Agriculture.
CREDIT(S)
(1985, P.A. 85-167, § 6, eff. Oct. 1, 1985; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 18; 1991, P.A. 91-407, § 7, eff. July 2, 1991.)
§§ 22-359c, 22-359d. Repealed. (1991, P.A. 91-46, § 11, eff. April 12, 1991.)
§§ 22-359c, 22-359d. Repealed. (1991, P.A. 91-46, § 11, eff. April 12, 1991.)
§ 22-359e. Tags and certificates indicating rabies vaccination
Any veterinarian who administers rabies vaccines to dogs and cats shall supply rabies vaccination tags and certificates of vaccination as required by section 22-339c and shall issue such tags and certificates to all dogs and cats vaccinated for rabies. Sponsors of rabies vaccination clinics shall also supply and issue rabies tags and vaccination certificates for all dogs and cats vaccinated at such clinics. The tag shall be of metal and embossed with the year of issue, name and address of the issuing veterinarian or sponsor of the vaccination clinic, and be serially numbered. The serial number shall be recorded on the vaccination certificate. The tag shall be of a size, color and shape that is plainly visible at a reasonable distance for the purposes of inspection by a canine control officer, regional canine control officer or warden of a municipality. The tag shall be distinguishable from a dog license tag and shall be securely attached to the collar or harness of the dog in the same manner as provided for license tags or plates under section 22-343. The veterinarian or sponsor of the vaccination clinic that has vaccinated such animals shall maintain a sequential record of the rabies tag serial numbers and corresponding owners' names for all vaccinated dogs and cats for a period of three years.
CREDIT(S)
(1991, P.A. 91-46, § 4, eff. April 12, 1991.)
§ 22-359f. Request for reduction of quarantine period after potential rabies exposure of animal
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the Commissioner of Agriculture shall develop a waiver request process and form for the owner, keeper or veterinarian for any animal that was attacked and that may have been exposed to rabies as a result of such attack to request a reduction of the requisite quarantine period for such animal from six months to four months if such owner, keeper or veterinarian submits proof with such waiver request that such animal was vaccinated for rabies not more than ninety-six hours after such attack. Such waiver request process and form shall be: (1) Posted on the Internet web site of the Department of Agriculture, (2) made publicly available and accessible, and (3) made known to veterinarians throughout the state by said department.
Credits
(2021, P.A. 21-90, § 9, eff. June 28, 2021.)
§ 22-360. Repealed. (1985, P.A. 85-145, § 2.)
§ 22-361. Repealed. (1963, P.A. 613, § 34.)
§ 22-362. Annoyance by dogs on highway
Any person owning or having the custody of any dog which habitually goes out on any highway and growls, bites, or snaps at, or otherwise annoys, any person or domestic animal lawfully using such highway or chases or interferes with any motor vehicle so using such highway, shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3410; 1953, Supp. §§ 1406c, 1848d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 31; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1977, P.A. 77-63, § 1; 1992, P.A. 92-77, § 3, eff. May 19, 1992; 2007, P.A. 07-217, § 100, eff. July 12, 2007; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 148.)
No person shall own or harbor a dog or dogs which is or are a nuisance by reason of vicious disposition or excessive barking or other disturbance, or, by such barking or other disturbance, is or are a source of annoyance to any sick person residing in the immediate vicinity. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction for the first offense and a class D misdemeanor for each subsequent offense and the court or judge may make such order concerning the restraint or disposal of such dog or dogs as may be deemed necessary.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3411; 1953, Supp. §§ 1407c, 1849d; 1957, P.A. 75; 1969, P.A. 116; 1976, P.A. 76-381, § 36; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 80.)
§ 22-364. Dogs roaming at large. Intentional or reckless subsequent violation
(a) No owner or keeper of any dog or livestock as defined in section 22-381 shall allow such dog or livestock to roam at large upon the land of another and not under control of the owner or keeper or the agent of the owner or keeper, nor allow such dog or livestock to roam at large on any portion of any public highway and not attended or under control of such owner or keeper or an agent of such owner or keeper, provided nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit or prohibit the use of hunting dogs during the open hunting or training season. The unauthorized presence of any dog or livestock on the land of any person other than the owner or keeper of such dog or livestock or on any portion of a public highway when such dog or livestock is not attended by or under the control of such owner or keeper, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this subsection. Violation of any provision of this subsection shall be an infraction. The animal control officer or regional animal control officer appointed pursuant to section 22-328, 22-331 or 22-331a, as applicable, of any city or town in which any such dog or livestock is found roaming at large may, in addition to any other remedies provided by law, seek an order enforcing the provisions of this section, including an injunction, from the superior court of the judicial district in which such dog or livestock is found roaming at large.
(b) Any owner or keeper of any dog who, knowing of the vicious propensities of such dog and having violated the provisions of subsection (a) of this section within the preceding year, intentionally or recklessly violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, if such dog, while roaming at large, causes physical injury to another person and such other person was not teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3412; 1953, Supp. §§ 1408c, 1850d; 1963, P.A. 613, § 32; 1976, P.A. 76-381, § 11, 1977, P.A. 77-63, § 2; 1996, P.A. 96-243, § 11, eff. June 6, 1996; 2023, P.A. 23-184, § 12, eff. June 28, 2023; 2024, P.A. 24-105, § 2, eff. June 4, 2024.)
§ 22-364a. Intentional or reckless release of domestic animal which causes damage
Any person who intentionally or recklessly releases a domestic animal that enters upon the real property of another person and causes damage to such real property in an amount in excess of one hundred dollars shall have committed an infraction.
CREDIT(S)
(1996, P.A. 96-243, § 10, eff. June 6, 1996.)
§ 22-364b. Control of dogs in proximity to guide dogs
The owner or keeper of a dog shall restrain and control such dog on a leash when such dog is not on the property of its owner or keeper and is in proximity to a person with a disability accompanied by a service animal, provided such service animal is readily identifiable as a service animal, is in the direct custody of such person and is licensed in accordance with section 22-345. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall have committed an infraction. If an owner or keeper of a dog violates the provisions of this section and, as a result of such violation, such dog attacks and injures the service animal, such owner, keeper, or both, shall be liable, as provided in section 22-357, for any damage done to such service animal, and such liability shall include liability for any costs incurred by such person with a disability for the veterinary care, rehabilitation or replacement of the injured service animal and for reasonable attorney's fees. As used in this section, “disability” and “service animal” have the same meanings as provided in section 22-345.
Credits
(1996, P.A. 96-243, § 9, eff. June 6, 1996; 1998, P.A. 98-61, § 1; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 9, eff. June 7, 2023; 2024, P.A. 24-18, § 10, eff. July 1, 2024; 2024, P.A. 24-108, § 41, eff. Oct. 1, 2024.)
§ 22-365. Obstruction of commissioner or any animal control officer. Penalty
Any person who obstructs or attempts to obstruct the commissioner, the Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer or any municipal animal control officer engaged in the discharge of any duty imposed by this chapter shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3413; 1953, Supp. §§ 1409c, 1851d; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1992, P.A. 92-77, § 4, eff. May 19, 1992; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 17, eff. July 1, 1998; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 81.)
§ 22-366. Cropping of dog's ears
Any person who crops or cuts or causes to be cropped or cut off the whole or any part of the ear of a dog, unless such person is a registered veterinary surgeon and unless such operation is performed when the dog is under an anesthetic, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars for the first offense and be guilty of a class D misdemeanor for each subsequent offense. The possession of a dog with an ear cropped or cut off and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed, confined upon the premises of or in the charge or custody of any person, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this section by the person in control of such premises or the person having charge or custody, unless such person has in his possession a certificate of cropping from a veterinarian registered in this state certifying that he performed the operation and giving the date of the operation, the name of the owner of the dog and a description of the dog.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 8576; 1953, Supp. §§ 1411c, 1853d; 2012, P.A. 12-80, § 82.)
§ 22-367. General penalty. Enforcement
Any person owning, keeping or harboring a dog or cat or maintaining a local kennel or commercial kennel who violates any provision of this chapter for the violation of which no other penalty is provided, or any regulation legally made and published shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both. No commercial kennel shall board any dog or cat unless the owner of the dog or cat presents a certificate of vaccination as required by this chapter. The Chief Animal Control Officer, any animal control officer and any municipal or regional control officer shall diligently inquire after, and prosecute for, any violation of any provision of this chapter.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 3414; 1953, Supp. §§ 1410c, 1852d; 1961, P.A. 517, § 22; 1963, P.A. 613, § 33; 1969, P.A. 81, § 4; 1991, P.A. 91-46, § 8, eff. April 12, 1991; 1991, P.A. 91-59, § 20; 1991, P.A. 91-131, § 3, eff. May 22, 1991; 1998, P.A. 98-12, § 18, eff. July 1, 1998; 2000, P.A. 00-88, § 2; 2023, P.A. 23-17, § 10, eff. June 7, 2023; 2024, P.A. 24-69, § 2, eff. May 30, 2024.)
The commissioner may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 [FN1] to implement the provisions of this chapter.
[FN1] C.G.S.A. § 4-166 et seq.
CREDIT(S)
(1991, P.A. 91-46, § 9, eff. April 12, 1991.)
§§ 22-368 to 22-380. Repealed. (2000, P.A. 00-92, § 16.)
Title 26. Fisheries and Game. Chapter 490. Fisheries and Game.
Part III. Licenses and Permits
§ 26-39. Hunting licenses for owners of packs of dogs
Any hunting organization or individual owning and using for hunting an organized pack of ten or more hounds or beagles may hunt foxes or rabbits for sport during the open season provided therefor, provided such organization or individual shall be licensed to do so. The commissioner may issue such license upon application and the payment of an annual fee of forty-eight dollars. Persons participating in hunting conducted with an organized pack of hounds under such a license shall not be required to have a hunting license. No participant in such hunt shall carry firearms.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 4878; 1971, P.A. 872, § 236; 2002, May 9 Sp.Sess., P.A. 02-1, § 86, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; 2009, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 09-3, § 446; 2010, P.A. 10-3, § 37, eff. April 14, 2010.)
§ 26-49. Training of hunting dogs. Permits for liberation of artificially propagated birds
(a) Any person holding a valid hunting license issued as provided for under section 26-27 is authorized to train hunting dogs in the field during any closed season, except during any period when the woods and fields are closed by proclamation issued by the commissioner because of forest fire hazard, under regulations issued by the commissioner.
(b) Said commissioner may authorize the establishment and operation of regulated hunting dog-training areas and may issue to any person holding a private shooting preserve permit, as provided for under section 26-48, or to any established game breeder holding a game breeder's license, as provided for under section 26-40, or to any person holding a commercial kennel license, as provided for under section 22-342, a permit, which shall expire on June thirtieth next after issuance and for which a fee of eighteen dollars shall be charged, authorizing the liberation of artificially propagated game birds and pigeons, legally possessed and suitably tagged with tags furnished by the commissioner, for which a reasonable fee may be charged, and the subsequent shooting of such game birds and pigeons by persons authorized by any such permittee, in connection with the training of hunting dogs only, at any time, including Sunday; provided permission to shoot on Sunday on the area specified in the permit shall have the approval of the proper authorities of the town or towns in which such dog-training area is located and shall apply only to the period from sunrise to sunset.
(c) A hunting license shall be required of all persons authorized by any such permittee to train any dog on any such regulated dog-training area, whether or not birds are to be shot.
(d) The commissioner may, by regulation, govern and prescribe the size and the location of any such dog-training area, the number of birds that may be released in ratio to the number of participants or the number of dogs being trained, the method of liberation and retrapping of pen-raised birds, the species, sex and condition of such birds that may be liberated and shot, the method of tagging such birds, the posting of such area and the method of reporting all such activities.
(e) Any such permit may be revoked at any time by the commissioner for a violation of any provision of this section or any regulation issued by the commissioner under the provisions of this section, for a period of not more than one year.
(f) Any person who violates any provision of this section or any regulation issued by the commissioner hereunder shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 4857; 1957, P.A. 487, § 1; 1959, P.A. 398, § 9; 1971, P.A. 872, § 245; 1973, P.A. 73-21, § 1, eff. March 30, 1973; 1991, Nov.Sp.Sess., P.A. 91-3, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; 2002, May 9 Sp.Sess., P.A. 02-1, § 93, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; 2009, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 09-3, § 453; 2010, P.A. 10-3, § 43, eff. April 14, 2010.)
§ 26-51. Permits for field dog trials. Fee
The commissioner may, upon application and payment of a fee of nine dollars, issue to any responsible person or organization a permit to hold a field dog trial subject to such regulations as he may prescribe. Any such permit may be revoked by the commissioner at any time.
Credits
(1949 Rev., § 4858; 1971, P.A. 872, § 247; 1991, Nov.Sp.Sess., P.A. 91-3, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; 2002, May 9 Sp.Sess., P.A. 02-1, § 94, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; 2009, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 09-3, § 454; 2010, P.A. 10-3, § 44, eff. April 14, 2010.)
§ 26-52. Permits for shooting birds liberated at field dog trials. Fees
The commissioner may issue to any responsible person or authorized field trial group a permit to hold field dog trials, on land approved by the commissioner as suitable for the purpose, at any time, including Sunday, during daylight hours, at which liberated game birds, waterfowl and pigeons legally possessed may be shot. All such game birds shall, immediately after being shot, be tagged with tags furnished by the commissioner, for which a reasonable fee may be charged. Such game birds so tagged may be possessed, transported, bought and sold at any time. Tags shall not be removed from such game birds until such time as such birds are finally prepared for consumption. The commissioner may, by regulation, govern and prescribe the minimum number of such birds that shall be released, the method of liberating and the method of taking such birds, the species and sex of such birds that may be shot, locations where such field dog trials may be held, periods of the year when such field dog trials may be held, the maximum number of such field dog trials that shall be sponsored or conducted by an individual or group during the period from July first to June thirtieth and the method of reporting all such activities. Notwithstanding the provision of any regulation to the contrary, the fee for a permit to hold a field dog trial on state-owned land shall be thirty-five dollars and the fee for a permit to hold a field dog trial on private land shall be eighteen dollars.
Credits
(1949, Supp. § 477a; 1955, Supp. § 2450d; 1971, P.A. 872, § 248; 1973, P.A. 73-24, § 1, eff. March 30, 1973; 1991, Nov.Sp.Sess., P.A. 91-3, § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; 2002, May 9 Sp.Sess., P.A. 02-1, § 95, eff. Jan. 1, 2003; 2009, June Sp.Sess., P.A. 09-3, § 455; 2010, P.A. 10-3, § 45, eff. April 14, 2010.)
Part VII. Fish and Game Refuges
§ 26-107. Hunting and trapping on wildlife refuge or closed area
No person shall, at any time, enter upon any state wildlife refuge or closed area to take, hunt, trap, snare, net, pursue, kill or destroy, or attempt to take, hunt, kill or destroy, any wildlife or disturb, destroy or remove the nest or egg of any bird or permit his dog to enter such wildlife refuge or closed area, and no person shall take, hunt, shoot, kill, pursue or trap any wildlife in any lane, road or highway adjacent to any land owned, leased or controlled by the state as a wildlife refuge or closed area; provided the commissioner or any person designated by him may take, hunt, kill or trap any fox, skunk, raccoon, wildcat, muskrat, mink, weasel, hawk, owl or other predacious bird or animal in any state wildlife refuge or closed area. The detection of any person with any firearm, bow and arrow, trap, snare, net or dog upon any state wildlife refuge or closed area shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the provisions of this section. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars.
CREDIT(S)
(1949 Rev., § 4924; 1971, P.A. 872, § 293.)