(a) For the purposes of this section, “companion animal” means a domesticated dog or cat that is normally kept in or near the household of its owner or keeper and is dependent on a person for food, shelter and veterinary care, but does not include a dog or cat kept for farming or biomedical research practices.
(b) Any person who intentionally kills or injures a companion animal, except in defense of such person or another person or as otherwise authorized by law, shall be liable to the owner of such companion animal for economic damages sustained by such owner including, but not limited to, expenses of veterinary care, the fair monetary value of the companion animal and burial expenses for the companion animal.
*(c) In addition to any economic damages awarded pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the court may award punitive damages in an amount not to exceed the jurisdictional monetary limit established by subsection (d) of section 51-15, together with a reasonable attorney's fee.
(d) The court shall not assess punitive damages and a reasonable attorney's fee pursuant to subsection (c) of this section against: (1) A veterinarian licensed pursuant to chapter 384 while following accepted standards of practice of the profession, (2) the state or any political subdivision of the state or any employee, officer or agent thereof while acting within the scope of such employee's, officer's or agent's employment or official duties, or (3) an employee of or volunteer for a nonprofit organization or nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for the prevention of cruelty to animals or the protection of stray, abandoned or mistreated animals while acting within the scope of such employee's or volunteer's employment or duties.
(P.A. 04-239, S. 1.)
*Note: On and after July 1, 2022, subsection (c) of this section, as amended by section 14 of public act 21-197, is to read as follows:
“(c) In addition to any economic damages awarded pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, the court may award punitive damages in an amount not to exceed the jurisdictional monetary limit established by subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 51-15, together with a reasonable attorney's fee.”
(P.A. 04-239, S. 1; P.A. 21-197, S. 14.)
History: P.A. 21-197 amended Subsec. (c) to replace reference to Sec. 51-15(d) with reference to Sec. 51-15(d)(1), effective July 1, 2022.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 22 - Agriculture. Domestic Animals
Chapter 435 - Dogs and Other Companion Animals. Kennels and Pet Shops
Section 22-327. - Definitions.
Section 22-329. - Prevention of cruelty to dogs and other animals.
Section 22-329b. - Reporting of neglected or cruelly treated animals.
Section 22-330. - Authority of officers issuing summons.
Section 22-331. - Municipal animal control officers. Assistants.
Section 22-331a. - Regional animal control officers. Pounds.
Section 22-332a. - Use of dogs for medical research restricted.
Section 22-332b. - License for use of dogs.
Section 22-333. - Redemption of impounded dog, cat or other animal.
Section 22-334. - Municipal animal control officer's fees.
Section 22-336. - Towns to provide pounds or other suitable facilities. Regulations. Enforcement.
Section 22-337. - Notice of licensing requirements.
Section 22-338. - Licensing of dogs. Fees. Rabies certificate. Exemptions.
Section 22-339. - Licensing of dogs which are six months of age or older by new owners. Fees.
Section 22-339c. - Certificate of rabies vaccination.
Section 22-339d. - Municipal control of feral cats.
Section 22-340. - Town clerk to provide licenses and tags.
Section 22-341. - Tag or plate to be attached to dog collar or harness. Cost.
Section 22-343. - Temporary placing of dog.
Section 22-344a. - Euthanasia of animals by pet shops.
Section 22-344d. - Signs required in pet shops selling dogs. Penalty.
Section 22-344e. - License required for procurement of dog or cat for resale. Exception. Penalty.
Section 22-346. - Guide dogs on trains.
Section 22-347. - Use of license fees.
Section 22-348. - Allocation of license fees to The University of Connecticut. Balance to towns.
Section 22-349. - Unlicensed dogs. Regulations. Impoundment.
Section 22-350. - Dogs as personal property. Tax exemption. Theft.
Section 22-351. - Theft, killing or injuring of companion animal. Penalty. Liability.
Section 22-352. - Change of residence of owner.
Section 22-353. - Identifying insignia or tattoo marks.
Section 22-355. - Damage by dog to domestic animals or poultry.
Section 22-356. - Damage by two or more dogs.
Section 22-357. - Damage by dogs to person or property.
Section 22-359. - Control of rabies. Quarantine. Regulations.
Section 22-359a. - Clinic for vaccination against rabies.
Section 22-359b. - Rabies vaccine.
Section 22-359e. - Tags and certificates indicating rabies vaccination.
Section 22-360 and 22-361. - Pasteur treatment. Examination of dog for rabies.
Section 22-362. - Annoyance by dogs on highway.
Section 22-364. - Dogs roaming at large. Intentional or reckless subsequent violation.
Section 22-364a. - Intentional or reckless release of domestic animal which causes damage.
Section 22-364b. - Control of dogs in proximity to guide dogs.
Section 22-365. - Obstruction of commissioner or any animal control officer. Penalty.
Section 22-366. - Cropping of dog's ears.