(b) The person may prove ownership of a companion animal by providing the dealer with:
(A) Photographs clearly showing the companion animal and any distinguishing markings;
(B) Licensing information;
(C) Veterinary records;
(D) Registration records;
(E) Microchip-implantation records; or
(F) Tattooing records.
(2)(a) When a person claims to be the owner of a companion animal being held by an animal dealer, the animal dealer shall:
(A) Upon proof of ownership and payment by the person of actual direct expenses incurred by the animal dealer in obtaining and caring for the dog or cat, turn the dog or cat over to the person; or
(B) If the animal dealer disputes the identification, or if the amount of expenses cannot be agreed upon, turn the dog or cat over to an animal shelter pending resolution of the dispute.
(b) If the person claiming to be the owner and the animal dealer cannot resolve the dispute within a reasonable length of time, the circuit court for the area in which the dog or cat is located may, upon petition, designate a third party to serve as an impartial adjudicator of the issue. The decision of the third party is final and the dog or cat shall be released accordingly. If the decision is in favor of the person claiming to be the owner, that person shall pay the animal dealer the amount of the actual direct expenses incurred by the animal dealer in obtaining and caring for the dog or cat while the dog or cat was in the possession of the animal dealer. The party losing the dispute shall pay the expenses incurred by the animal shelter in caring for the dog or cat during the pendency of the dispute. No filing or other fees shall apply to the petition to the circuit court. The court shall process the matter as informally and as expeditiously as possible.
(c) An animal dealer who fails to turn a dog or cat over as required by this subsection commits a Class A misdemeanor.
(3) Law enforcement officers or animal control officers may conduct routine inspections of animal dealer facilities during normal business hours to insure compliance with animal control statutes, ordinances and regulations. [1991 c.837 §7; 1995 c.658 §110]
Structure 2021 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 15 - Water Resources, Agriculture and Food
Chapter 609 - Dogs; Exotic Animals; Dealers
Section 609.015 - Application of ORS 609.030 and 609.035 to 609.110.
Section 609.035 - Definitions for ORS 609.035 to 609.110 and 609.990.
Section 609.060 - Notice of county prohibition on dogs running at large.
Section 609.093 - Considerations prior to disposing of chasing, menacing or biting dog.
Section 609.095 - Dog as public nuisance; public nuisance prohibited; complaint.
Section 609.098 - Maintaining dangerous dog.
Section 609.100 - Dog licenses, tags and fees; exemptions.
Section 609.115 - Liability for injury or property damage caused by potentially dangerous dog.
Section 609.135 - Applicability of ORS 609.156, 609.162 and 609.168.
Section 609.140 - Right of action by owner of damaged livestock.
Section 609.150 - Right to kill dog that harms or chases livestock.
Section 609.153 - Dog owner education program.
Section 609.155 - Impoundment for harming or chasing livestock; determination of fact; costs.
Section 609.156 - Opportunity to request hearing.
Section 609.158 - Hearing process; notice of determination; reexamination of determination.
Section 609.161 - Disputable presumption that dog harms or chases livestock.
Section 609.162 - Guidelines for imposing remedial measures, civil penalties or other sanctions.
Section 609.163 - Enhanced civil penalties for habitual violators.
Section 609.165 - Judicial review of county determination.
Section 609.166 - Record of penalized owners.
Section 609.167 - Conversion of civil penalty into lien; disposition of proceeds.
Section 609.168 - Microchip identification of dog; rules.
Section 609.169 - Keeping dog with knowledge that it has harmed livestock.
Section 609.305 - "Exotic animal" defined.
Section 609.329 - Liability for escape or injury.
Section 609.341 - Permit requirement for keeping of exotic animal; breeding of animal.
Section 609.345 - Exceptions to permit requirement.
Section 609.351 - Issuance and renewal of exotic animal permit; fee.
Section 609.355 - Issuance of permit upon lapse of federal license or registration.
Section 609.405 - Requirement for destroying dogs and cats.
Section 609.410 - Disposition of dogs and cats by research facility.
Section 609.415 - Animal rescue entities; licensing; records; fees; rules; civil penalty.
Section 609.420 - Investigation and inspection of animal rescue entity.
Section 609.500 - Definitions for ORS 609.500 to 609.520 and 609.994.
Section 609.505 - Unlawfully obtaining dog or cat.
Section 609.515 - Required period of possession of animal by dealer.
Section 609.650 - Legislative findings.
Section 609.652 - Definitions for ORS 609.654.
Section 609.654 - Public or private official reporting of aggravated animal abuse; immunity.
Section 609.656 - Regulated social worker reporting of abuse or neglect; immunity.
Section 609.815 - On-site individuals for locations where numerous dogs are kept.
Section 609.992 - Penalties for ORS 609.341; transfer of rights in exotic animal.
Section 609.994 - Penalties for ORS 609.510 to 609.520; cause of action for damages; injunctions.