Relating to animals, including dogs, that are subject to certain health and safety regulations, including by providing for rabies control, and the confiscation, impoundment, and disposition of such animals, providing a criminal penalty, and making penalties applicable

25). RIGHT TO KILL DOG. The bill provides that a person may kill a dog regardless of whether it is wearing a collar with an attached rabies tag, if the dog is endangering an individual or domestic animal or fowl. The provision does not apply to a police service dog; a dog protecting the property, life, or safety of the dog’s owner or immediate family; or the dog is engaged in or being trained to be engaged in performing a lawful task.27). RABIES PREVENTION. The bill requires the owner of a dog to obtain evidence (credentials) that the dog is prevented from contracting the rabies virus. This includes a rabies vaccination certificate and rabies vaccination tag to be worn on the dog’s collar. Otherwise, the credentials are a rabies antibody titer test certificate and a rabies antibody titer test tag that also must be worn on the dog’s collar.35). CONFISCATION, IMPOUNDMENT, AND DISPOSITION. The bill provides that a dog’s owner may redeem a dog confiscated and impounded by a local authority if the owner furnishes rabies prevention credentials. The local authority must arrange for the disposition of an unredeemed dog by sale, transfer, or relinquishment of title to an animal shelter. If an animal has been confiscated based on a suspected rabies infection, the local authority must test the animal. An uninfected dog must be returned its owner.39). COURT ORDER. The bill prohibits a local authority from confiscating, impounding, or disposing of a dog that is considered property without obtaining a court order. The dog cannot be placed in the custody of a private person, cannot be sterilized, and must be provided with an adequate standard of care. CRIMINAL OFFENSE —— FALSE REPORT. The bill creates a new criminal offense referred to as “false report” which is committed by a person providing incorrect or incomplete information to a local board of health or law enforcement official, knowing that the information will likely result in the confiscation of a dog that is property. A person who commits the offense is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. The person may also be ordered to pay for costs associated with the prosecution. APPLICABLE CRIMINAL PENALTY.43). A simple misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than days or a fine of at least $65 but not more than $625 or by both.