TITLE 25

ANIMALS

CHAPTER 35

ANIMAL CARE

25-3512.  Abandonment of animals left with veterinarian. (1) Any animal placed in the custody of a veterinarian licensed under the provisions of chapter 21, title 54, Idaho Code, for treatment, boarding or other care, and which is unclaimed by its owner or the agent of the owner for a period of more than ten (10) days after written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, is given to the addressee only at his last known address, shall be deemed to be abandoned and may be turned over to the nearest pound or to a peace officer, or disposed of as such custodian may deem proper.

(2)  The giving of notice to the owner, or the agent of the owner, of such animal by the licensed veterinarian, as provided in subsection (1) of this section, shall relieve the licensed veterinarian and any custodian to whom such animal may be given of any further liability for disposal. Such procedure by the licensed veterinarian shall not constitute grounds for discipline under the provisions of chapter 21, title 54, Idaho Code.

(3)  For the purposes of this section, the term "abandoned" means to forsake entirely, or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for treatment, care and support of an animal by its owner, or the agent of the owner. Such abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claims by the owner to such animal.

History:

[(25-3512) 1982, ch. 41, sec. 1, p. 67; am. and redesig. 1994, ch. 346, sec. 12, p. 1094.]