S.B. 2985 Summary

• Provides civil liability immunity to veterinarians who render emergency care to sick or injured animals without remuneration, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton acts.

• Allows veterinarians to provide necessary and prompt care to animal patients without establishing a formal veterinarian-client-patient relationship when time constraints prevent such establishment, with immunity from civil liability except for gross negligence.

• Requires veterinarians to promptly report to local law enforcement when they have reasonable cause to believe an animal has been injured or killed through dog fighting or is a victim of animal abuse or cruelty.

• Provides veterinarians with immunity from civil liability for making reports of dog fighting, animal abuse, or animal cruelty violations.

• Requires veterinarians acting under emergency care provisions to document the basis for proceeding without an established client-patient relationship.