House of Representatives

SB 1304

vicious animals; disposition; procedures

Sponsors: Senator Blanchard

 

DP

Committee on Counties & Municipalities

DP

Committee on Public Institutions & Rural Affairs

DPA

Caucus and COW

DPA

Third Read

 

DPA

As Passed the House

X

As Transmitted to the Governor

 

SB 1304 stipulates that the alleged victim of a vicious animal receive notice of an order for the destruction of the vicious animal.  Also, SB 1304 stipulates that the justice of the peace or the city magistrate may impose additional procedures and processes to protect all parties in the interest of justice and requires the owner of the vicious animal to be responsible for any fees incurred by the county enforcement agent for the handling of the vicious animal.

History

A.R.S. § 11-1001 defines vicious animal as any animal of the order carnivora that has a propensity to attack, to cause injury to or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings without provocation, or that has been so declared after a hearing before a justice of the peace or a city magistrate.

Current statute (A.R.S. § 11-1014) stipulates that an unvaccinated dog or cat that bites any person shall be confined and quarantined in a county pound or upon request of and at the expense of the owner, at a veterinary hospital for a period of not less than ten days.  A dog properly vaccinated that bites any person may be confined and quarantined at the home of the owner or wherever the dog is harbored and maintained with the consent of and in a manner prescribed by the county enforcement agent. The county enforcement agent shall destroy a vicious animal upon an order of a justice of the peace or a city magistrate.  At present, the justice of the peace or the city magistrate may issue an order for the destruction after the owner of the animal has been notified.

Provisions

·          Stipulates that the alleged victim receive notice of an order for the destruction of the vicious animal.

·          Allows the justice of the peace or the city magistrate to impose additional procedures and processes to protect all parties in the interests of justice.

·          Specifies that any decision by the justice of the peace or city magistrate may be appealed to the superior court.

·          Requires the owner of the vicious animal to be responsible for any fees incurred by the enforcement agent for the impounding, sheltering and disposing of the vicious animal.

 

 

 

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45th Legislature                    

Second Regular Session        2          June 4, 2002

 

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