CT HB06226

Animal control officers who file verified petitions regarding animal harm, neglect, or cruelty must submit written reports to the Commissioner of Agriculture within 48 hours, including details such as the address, animal description, nature of harm, and suspected responsible persons

The Commissioner of Agriculture must send monthly reports of all animal cruelty information to the Commissioner of Children and Families, beginning November 1, 2011

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) must cross-reference addresses from animal cruelty reports against open child abuse or neglect investigations within one week of receiving each monthly report, and provide relevant animal cruelty information to investigators handling cases at matching addresses

DCF employees who suspect animal harm, neglect, or cruelty during the course of their employment must make an oral report to the Commissioner of Agriculture within 48 hours

DCF must develop annual training for its employees on identifying animal cruelty and its relationship to child welfare, and must make training available to animal control officers on identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect, effective October 1, 2011