HB 788 - Animal protection; methods of euthanasia; provisions

Current VersionPDF Version

Sponsored By

Sponsored In Senate By

Committees

Current Status

05/20/10 - House Date Signed by Governor

First Reader Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to animal protection, so as to provide for methods for euthanasia of animals; to provide requirements for persons authorized to euthanize animals; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Votes

Electronically Recorded Votes
DateTimeVote NoYeasNaysNVExcDescription
03/16/20102:59PMHouse Vote #632041118015006RECOMMIT TO RULES
03/16/20103:01PMHouse Vote #633115046013006PASS
04/21/201012:27PMSenate Vote #767038009004005PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE
04/29/201011:43AMHouse Vote #972125026025004Agree Sen Sub as Am
04/29/201011:45AMHouse Vote #973085074018003RECON Agree Sen Sub Am
04/29/20104:33PMHouse Vote #996115036023006Agree Sen Sub as Am
04/29/20109:27PMSenate Vote #941037008008003AGREE TO HOUSE AMENDMENT TO SENATE SUBSTITUTE

Status History

Bill History
DateAction
03/23/2009House First Readers
03/25/2009House Second Readers
02/17/2010House Committee Favorably Reported
03/16/2010House Third Readers
03/16/2010House Passed/Adopted
03/17/2010Senate Read and Referred
04/01/2010Senate Committee Favorably Reported
04/12/2010Senate Read Second Time
04/21/2010Senate Third Read
04/21/2010Senate Passed/Adopted
04/29/2010House Agree Senate Amend or Sub
04/29/2010House Reconsidered
04/29/2010House Agree Senate Amend or Sub
04/29/2010Senate Agrees House Amend or Sub
05/11/2010House Sent to Governor
05/20/2010House Date Signed by Governor
05/20/2010Act 386
12/31/2010Effective Date

Footnotes

3/16/2010 Modified Structured Rule
4/29/2010 House agrees to Senate Substitute as House amended
4/29/2010 Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate substitute
10 HB 788/AP
House Bill 788 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE)
By: Representatives Knox of the 24th and Oliver of the 83rd


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animal protection, so as to prohibit the use of a gas chamber to euthanize dogs and cats; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 4 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to animal protection, is amended by revising Code Section 4-11-5.1, relating to euthanasia of dogs and cats by animal shelters or facilities operated for collection of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals, as follows:
"4-11-5.1.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, the use of sodium pentobarbital or a derivative of it shall be the exclusive method for euthanasia of dogs and cats by animal shelters or other facilities which are operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals. A lethal solution shall be used in the following order of preference:
(1) Intravenous injection by hypodermic needle;
(2) Intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle; or
(3) Intracardial If the dog or cat is unconscious, intracardial injection by hypodermic needle.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Code section,:
(1) A chamber using commercially bottled carbon monoxide gas which was used on July 1, 1990, for euthanasia of dogs and cats by any animal shelter or other facility may continue to be used for such purposes by such animal shelter or facility if such animal shelter or facility notifies the Commissioner of Agriculture, in writing, on or before August 1, 1990, that such a chamber was in use by such animal shelter or facility on July 1, 1990. However, a chamber which causes a change in body oxygen by means of altering atmospheric pressure or which is connected to an internal combustion engine and uses the engine exhaust for euthanasia purposes shall not be permitted under any circumstances; and
(2) Any any substance which is clinically proven to be as humane as sodium pentobarbital and which has been officially recognized as such by the American Veterinary Medical Association may be used in lieu of sodium pentobarbital to perform euthanasia on dogs and cats, but succinylcholine chloride, curare, curariform mixtures, or any substance which acts as a neuromuscular blocking agent may not be used on a dog or cat in lieu of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia purposes.
(c) In addition to the exceptions exception provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section, in cases of extraordinary circumstance where the dog or cat poses an extreme risk or danger to the veterinarian, physician, or lay person performing euthanasia, such person shall be allowed the use of any other substance or procedure that is humane to perform euthanasia on such dangerous dog or cat.
(d) Under no circumstance shall a chamber using commercially bottled carbon monoxide gas or other lethal gas or a chamber which causes a change in body oxygen by means of altering atmospheric pressure or which is connected to an internal combustion engine and uses the engine exhaust for euthanasia purposes be permitted.
(d)(e) A dog or cat may be tranquilized with an approved and humane substance before euthanasia is performed.
(e)(f) Euthanasia shall be performed by a licensed veterinarian or physician or a lay person who is properly trained in the proper and humane use of a method of euthanasia. Such lay person shall perform euthanasia under supervision of a licensed veterinarian or physician. This shall not be construed so as to require that a veterinarian or physician be present at the time euthanasia is performed.
(f)(g) No dog or cat may be left unattended between the time euthanasia procedures are first begun and the time death occurs, nor may its body be disposed of until death is confirmed by a qualified person.
(g)(h) The supervising veterinarian or physician shall be subject to all record-keeping requirements and inspection requirements of the State Board of Pharmacy pertaining to sodium pentobarbital and other drugs authorized under subsection (b) of this Code section and may limit the quantity of possession of sodium pentobarbital and other drugs authorized to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Code section.
(h) This Code section shall not apply to any animal shelter or other facility located in a county having a population of 25,000 or less according to the most recent United States decennial census."
SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective on December 31, 2010.

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.