Public Chapter 204

SENATE BILL NO. 520

By Rochelle

Substituted for: House Bill No. 690

By Phelan

AN ACT To amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-12-134, with respect to the veterinarian's lien.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-12-134, is amended by designating the existing subsection (b) as subsection (b)(1) and by adding a new subsection as follows:

(b)(2) An animal shall also be considered abandoned by its owner if the owner gives a licensed veterinarian a false address and telephone number and the demand mailed by the licensed veterinarian registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, is returned undelivered. Under the circumstances provided in this subsection, the licensed veterinarian may consider the animal abandoned when he or she receives notice that the mailed demand is undeliverable, and the licensed veterinarian may dispose of the animal as provided in subsection (b)(1). As an alternative, the licensed veterinarian may turn the animal or pet over to the nearest humane society or animal control shelter in the area for disposition of the animal as such custodian deems proper without first offering the animal or pet for sale.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.