§ 12-4-101. CARE AND DISPOSITION.

(a)

County may contract for care. The county may enter into agreements with veterinarians or veterinary hospitals for the care of injured or diseased dogs and cats, the owners of which are unknown, and which are collected by the county or the county police or are brought to the county by private citizens.

(b)

Destruction of the animal. If the veterinarian or veterinary hospital determines that destruction of an animal consigned to its care under this section is warranted, the veterinarian or the veterinary hospital shall provide for the destruction of the animal as soon as practicable.

(c)

Care of the animal. If the veterinarian or veterinary hospital determines that the condition of a dog or cat consigned to its care under this section does not warrant destruction, the veterinarian or veterinary hospital shall care for the dog or cat until its condition warrants its return to the county for disposition in accordance with Title 3, Subtitle 2 of this article.

(d)

Agent of the county. For the purposes of this section, the veterinarian or veterinary hospital is deemed to be the agent of the county and all acts done in accordance with this section are the acts of the county and entitled to governmental immunity.

(e)

No actions authorized. No action at law or in equity may be maintained against the county, its agents, servants, or employees, including a veterinarian, or veterinary hospital for any acts done in accordance with this section.

(1988 Code, § 6-146) (Bill No. 3-00, § 4, 7-1-2004)