Sec. 20-205b. Euthanization of cat or dog by licensed veterinarian. Exceptions. Penalty. Defense.

(a) Whenever any cat or dog is euthanized, such euthanization shall be performed in a humane manner by a licensed veterinarian, provided nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the killing of any cat or dog while such cat or dog is attacking a person or another animal under circumstances where a reasonable person would consider such attack life threatening to a person or another animal or likely to cause serious physical injury to a person or another animal. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to apply to (1) the euthanization of any farm animal or livestock, (2) the euthanization of any cat or dog by any law enforcement officer in the course of his or her duties or as described in section 20-197, (3) the euthanization of any dog in accordance with the provisions of section 22-332b and regulations adopted under said section, or (4) the euthanization of any animal in a facility subject to regulation by the United States Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare or the United States Department of Agriculture.

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(c) It shall be a defense to prosecution under this section that such person euthanized such cat or dog with a life-threatening injury or condition in order to prevent such cat's or dog's further suffering.

(P.A. 13-236, S. 1; P.A. 14-226, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 13-236 effective July 2, 2013; P.A. 14-226 amended Subsec. (a)(4) by adding “or the United States Department of Agriculture”, effective June 13, 2014.