Senate Bill No. 2177 Summary

• Law enforcement officers must obtain a court order upon recommendation from a licensed veterinarian to seize animals believed to be neglected, abused, or treated cruelly.

• For bovine animals, horses, or mules, law enforcement must provide a copy of the seizure petition to the chief brand inspector, who conducts an ownership inspection.

• When an animal's owner is known or can be determined through reasonable inquiry, the officer must notify the owner and petition the court for disposition; if the owner is unknown, the officer must publish notice in the official county newspaper with a five-day claim period.

• If the owner does not claim the animal within five days of publication, the law enforcement officer may sell, place for adoption, or humanely destroy the animal at their discretion.

• Animal owners have the right to request a hearing before the court at any time before a final disposition ruling, and the court cannot issue a final ruling until the hearing concludes.