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Area Development Districts
Working together is essential to make real, lasting change in the public animal services world. One way to accomplish this is by developing relationships with other government and non-profit organizations with a common mission. That doesn’t necessarily mean other animal agencies. One such resource is the Kentucky Coalition of Area Development Districts (KCADD). Their strategic mission is simple: They strive to foster regional strategies, solutions and partnerships that improve the overall quality of life for the citizens of Kentucky.
The KCADD is a non-profit organization separated into 15 Area Development Districts (ADD) varying in size from 5 to 15 counties. Your ADD can apply for grants on behalf of the animal organizations within your district. It’s important to form a collaboration between the sheltering organizations within your district to develop a plan. You can find contact information for your ADD HERE.
How to Read and Understand Law
All animal control officers should start by meeting with your County Attorney to ensure you follow all procedures regarding local enforcement. They are YOUR attorney!
Every animal control officer has a responsibility to know the laws they enforce. Start by reading through the entire statute. Then, read it again. Break the wording down into chunks that are easier to digest. Below is an example.
436.605 (1) Animal control officers and officers and agents of humane societies who are employed by, appointed by, or have contracted with a city, county, urban-county, charter county, or consolidated local government to provide animal sheltering or animal control services shall have the powers of peace officers, except for the power of arrest, for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes relating to cruelty, mistreatment, or torture of animals, provided they possess the qualifications required under KRS 61.300.
Can be read as;
436.605 (1)Animal control officers and officers and agents of humane societies who are employed by, appointed by, or have contracted with a city, county, urban-county, charter county, or consolidated local government to provide animal sheltering or animal control services shall have the powers of peace officers, except for the power of arrest, for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the Kentucky Revised Statutes relating to cruelty, mistreatment, or torture of animals, provided they possess the qualifications required under KRS 61.300.
Officer = Animal control officers and officers and agents of humane societies
appointed by = employed by, appointed by, or have contracted
government = city, county, urban-county, charter county, or consolidated local government
Powers of peace officer = is conditional on meeting qualifications under KRS 61.300
The Georgetown University Law Center created a A Guide to Reading Interpreting and Applying Statutes. It should not be your sole source of information. Again, talk to your county attorney.
Kentucky Animal Control Laws
Links to Kentucky Revised Statutes
Rabies Vaccination and Bite Quarantine Laws
- 258.005 Definitions for KRS 258.005 to 258.087.
- 258.015 Dogs, cats, and ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies — Issuance and distribution of certificates — Tags for dogs — Requirements for compliance by qualified persons — Cat and ferret owners — Feral cats.
- 258.035 Dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated in other state need not be revaccinated.
- 258.043 Mass immunization clinics. (Effective until July 1, 2019)
- 258.043 Mass immunization clinics. (Effective July 1, 2019)
- 258.055 Quarantine in case of rabies epidemic — Emergency vaccinations.
- 258.065 Physicians to report persons bitten by dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animals — Reporting when local health department is closed.
- 258.075 Secretary for health and family services to administer rabies law.
- 258.085 Quarantine of animals suspected of having rabies — Destruction of animal in lieu of quarantine — Exceptions — Head of animal suspected of being rabid to be sent to laboratory.
- 258.087 Authorization to provide for more stringent regulation of rabies control.
Animal Control and Sheltering
- 258.095 Definitions for KRS 258.095 to 258.500.
- 258.117 Animal Control Advisory Board — Purpose — Promulgation of administrative regulations — Membership.
- 258.119 Animal control and care fund — Distribution of moneys — Eligibility requirements.
- 258.135 Establishment of dog licensing program by county or city ordinance.
- 258.195 Employment, appointment, or contract with animal control officers — Establishment and maintenance of animal shelters — Intergovernmental agreements — Authority of animal control officers.
- 258.212 Tampering with or removal of domesticated animal’s identification prohibited — Exceptions — Penalty.
- 258.215 Seizure, impounding, and destruction of dog lacking rabies tag or other identification — Holding period before destruction — Notice to owner — Reclamation of dog, cat, or ferret — Fees — Quarantine — Exemption of hunting dog.
- 258.225 Peace officers and animal control officers required to perform duties — Interference prohibited.
- 258.235 Authority to kill or seize dog — Return by court to owner of vicious dog — Liability for damage — Proceeding by person attacked by dog — Disposition of dog after seizure — Powers of animal control officer — Vicious dog not to run at large.
- 258.245 Dogs with rabies vaccination and identification considered personal property — Destruction prohibited.
- 258.255 Confinement and control of female dog when in heat.
- 258.265 Care and control of dog — Destruction of dog running at large at night — Exemption for hunting dogs.
- 258.335 False statements and concealment of facts prohibited.
- 258.365 Other state and local laws not affected.
- 258.500 Persons with assistance dogs not to be denied accommodations, transportation, or elevator service — Conditions — Exemption from licensing fees — Denial of emergency medical treatment for assistance dog prohibited.
- 258.505 Use of gunshot as euthanasia.
Chapter 258 Penalties
Kentucky Animal Cruelty Laws
- Chapter 525 Riot, Disorderly Conduct, and Related Offenses
- 525.125 Cruelty to animals in the first degree
- 525.130 Cruelty to animals in the second degree – Exemptions — Offense involving equines.
- 525.135 Torture of dog or cat
Enforcement Power and Obtaining Warrants
- Chapter 436 Crimes Against Morality
- 436.600 Dyeing or selling dyed baby fowl or rabbits
- 436.605 Animal control officers and humane agents have powers of peace officers, except power of arrest — Search warrants — Execution of search warrants — Arrest by peace officer.
- 436.610 Confiscation of animals on premises where violations of KRS 525.125 and 525.130 occur.
Controlled Substance Laws
In Kentucky, the law specifies how, when, and by whom an animal can be euthanized and the drugs used are strictly regulated by both the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners. It’s important to know your responsibility as both an individual and an agency.
- Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners
- KBVE Laws and Regulations Booklet
- K.R.S. 321.181 Definitions for chapter.
- K.R.S. 321.207 Certification of animal control agencies and animal euthanasia specialists.
Kentucky Administrative Regulations Chapter 16 Board of Veterinary Examiners
- 201.010 Code of ethical conduct
- 201.015 Fees
- 201.020 Approved veterinary colleges
- 201.030 License, renewal notice
- 201.040 Approved programs for veterinary technicians and veterinary technologists
- 201.050 Continuing education
- 201.060 Complaint processing procedures
- 201.080 Certified animal control agencies
- 201.090 Certification as an animal euthanasia specialist
- 201.100 Examination
- 201.110 Prescription and dispensation of drugs for animal use
Drug Enforcement Administration
Sample Forms