(a) Any animal placed in the custody of a licensed veterinarian for treatment, boarding, or other care, which shall be unclaimed by its owner or his agent for a period of more than ten (10) days after written notice is given to the owner or his agent at his last known address, shall be deemed to be abandoned and may be turned over to the custody of the nearest humane society or dog pound in the area for the disposal as such custodian may deem proper.
(b) The giving of notice to the owner, or the agent of the owner, of such animal by the licensed veterinarian, as provided in the foregoing paragraph, shall relieve the licensed veterinarian and any custodian to whom such animal may be given of any further liability for disposal; it is further provided that such procedure by the licensed veterinarian shall not constitute grounds for disciplinary procedure under this act [§§ 33-30-201 through 33-30-215].
(c) For the purpose of this act the term "abandoned" shall mean to forsake entirely, or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner, or his agent; such abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claim by the owner to such animal.
Laws 1967, ch. 37, § 15.