HB 5041 Summary

• Animal control officers must file written reports to the Commissioner of Agriculture within 48 hours of filing a petition regarding animal harm, neglect, or cruelty, including details about the animal, owner, nature of abuse, and suspected perpetrator.

• The Commissioner of Agriculture must send monthly reports to the Commissioner of Children and Families; if animal abuse occurs at an address with an open child abuse or neglect investigation, the Department of Children and Families must conduct a home visit within one week to observe the child and evaluate household animals.

• Child abuse and neglect investigations must now include evaluation of household animals to determine if they were harmed, neglected, or cruelly treated, with annual reporting to the Commissioner of Agriculture beginning October 1, 2011.

• Neglect petitions filed under section 46b-129 must also include animal household evaluations during investigations, with annual reporting of findings to the Commissioner of Agriculture beginning October 1, 2011.

• All provisions take effect October 1, 2010, establishing a cross-reporting system between child protective services and animal control authorities.