Relates to notifying the owner of an animal killed on a highway

1 Co-sponsor

• Phil Boyle

BILL NUMBER:S4877

Title of bill

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to notifying the owner of an animal killed on a highway

Purpose

This bill would allow for the owners of a deceased animal to be notified if the death occurred on a stretch of highway.

Summary of specific provisions

Section (1.) The highway law is amended by adding a new section 332 to read as follows, S.322, to establish the notifying of an owner of an animal killed on a highway. Subsection (a) reading that if the animal. in question has a tag with the family's contact information and/or a license number, the department shall (i.) make a reasonable attempt to notify the family using the contact information and (ii.) notify the issuer of the license, if any, so that the issuer will attempt to notify the family.

Subsection (b) reading that the department shall scan the animal's remains for an identification chip and, should a chip be found, notify the chip registry through website or phone, in accordance with the information on the I.D. Chip.

Subsection (c) reading that in the case the animal is missing a tag or I.D. Chip, the department shall use a publicly available website to post a description of the animal and the circumstances related to death; and to post a photograph of the animal if the department believes it can be done with due respect for personal and community sensibilities.

Subsection (d) reading that if the department has a suitable temporary storage facility it shall store the animal's remains for at least seven days (i.)after pick up or (ii.) make actual contact directly with the animal's owners, whichever is longer.

Subsection (e) reading that the department can delegate the above functions to another entity such as a shelter or veterinarian.

Justification

In most cases if a pet is killed in an accident on the highway the remains are not taken to a shelter and scanned for identification marks such as an identification tag/chip but rather the remains are disposed of by highway maintenance. Furthermore the highway maintenance crews have no legal responsibility, nos do they possess the resources, to scan the remains for identification marks and report the death to the owner(s). This bill would allow for the owner's to receive piece of mind by creating several standards for the notification in cases of death on a highway.

Prior legislative history

None

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.