CS/CS/HB 627 - Animal Control

• Allows sheriffs and county animal control centers to offer stray livestock (excluding cattle) for adoption or humane disposal as an alternative to sale or auction, with notice requirements of at least 3 business days to owners.

• Requires sheriffs and county animal control centers to establish their own fees for impounding, notice, care, feeding, and advertising of livestock, and makes them solely responsible for damages caused during livestock capture and handling.

• Authorizes municipal animal control officers to take custody of neglected or cruelly treated animals and order owners to provide care at the owner's expense, with county courts able to remand animals to municipal custody.

• Clarifies that proceeds from animal auctions are applied first to sale costs, second to care expenses by law enforcement/animal control officers, third to owner payment, and any remainder to the court if the owner is unknown.

• Takes effect July 1, 2015.