Effective - 28 Aug 1999
340.288. Animal deemed abandoned, when, disposal of — immunity — abandoned defined, effect — necropsy authorized, when, disposal of corpse — owner's financial obligation. — 1. Any animal placed in the custody of a licensed veterinarian for treatment, boarding or other care, which is unclaimed by its owner or its owner's agent for more than ten days after written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, is sent to the owner or owner's agent at the person's last known address shall be deemed to be abandoned. Such abandoned animal may be turned over to the nearest humane society or animal shelter, or otherwise disposed of or destroyed by the licensed veterinarian in a humane manner.
2. If notice is sent pursuant to subsection 1 of this section, the licensed veterinarian or any custodian of such abandoned animal is relieved of any further liability for disposal. If a licensed veterinarian follows the procedures of this section, the veterinarian shall not be subject to disciplinary action under sections 340.200 to 340.330 unless such licensed veterinarian fails to provide the proper notification to the owner or owner's agent.
3. For the purposes of this section, the term "abandoned" means to forsake entirely, to neglect or refuse to provide or perform legal obligations for the care and support of an animal, or to refuse to pay for treatment or other services without an assertion of good cause. Such abandonment shall constitute the relinquishment of all rights and claims by the owner to such animal.
4. If an animal should die while in the custody of a licensed veterinarian for the purpose of treatment, boarding or other care, the licensed veterinarian may perform necropsy after reasonable attempts to notify the owner and obtain permission have failed. The licensed veterinarian shall maintain or otherwise store the corpse for a period of at least three days following such death or three days after notification to the owner, whichever is longer, after which time the corpse may be disposed of in any lawful manner.
5. The disposal of an abandoned or deceased animal shall not relieve the owner or owner's agent of any financial obligation incurred for treatment, boarding or other care provided by the veterinarian.
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(L. 1992 H.B. 878 § 44, A.L. 1999 S.B. 424)
Structure Missouri Revised Statutes
Title XXII - Occupations and Professions
Section 340.200 - Definitions.
Section 340.204 - Termination of membership, when.
Section 340.206 - Duties of board — special meetings by telephone conference — open to public.
Section 340.208 - Compensation, expenses.
Section 340.210 - Seal — powers of board — rulemaking procedure.
Section 340.216 - Practice without license prohibited, prohibited acts — exceptions.
Section 340.218 - Evidence of intent to engage in practice.
Section 340.220 - Transplant of embryo considered veterinary practice, when.
Section 340.222 - Supervisor responsible and liable, when.
Section 340.224 - Board's authority not limited, when.
Section 340.234 - Examination — licensure without examination.
Section 340.236 - Failure to qualify for examination, notice, contents, appeal.
Section 340.246 - Provisional licensure, requirements — term.
Section 340.250 - Temporary or provisional license, board's exclusive authority.
Section 340.252 - Display of license, certificate, permit.
Section 340.254 - Existing certificate recognized, requirements.
Section 340.255 - Inactive license status, procedure.
Section 340.256 - Retirement, affidavit required — effect.
Section 340.260 - Practice after declaration of noncurrency, penalty.
Section 340.262 - Renewal of expired license, requirements — waiver of fees, when.
Section 340.266 - Application for reinstatement of license — period.
Section 340.268 - Continuing education course, examination may be required.
Section 340.270 - Records of patients, discoverable.
Section 340.278 - Relicensing and reinstatement — conditions.
Section 340.280 - Chairman may administer oaths, issue subpoena — enforcement of subpoenas, where.
Section 340.282 - Immunity of persons cooperating with the board.
Section 340.284 - Medical records to be maintained.
Section 340.286 - Disclosure of information, when required — immunity — waiver of privilege.
Section 340.287 - Veterinary emergency care, no civil liability, exceptions (Good Samaritan law).
Section 340.292 - Severability.
Section 340.294 - Penalty — separate offenses.
Section 340.296 - Veterinary technician, board to register.
Section 340.298 - Provisions applicable to technicians.
Section 340.300 - Veterinary technician, registration of, application, contents — qualifications.
Section 340.302 - Registration fee, technician — examination fee — consequences of failure.
Section 340.304 - Technician, admittance to examination — failure to qualify, notice.
Section 340.306 - Waiver of examination, when — grade score transfer permitted, when.
Section 340.308 - Examination for technicians — application fee — rules — notification of results.
Section 340.310 - Notice to successful examinees.
Section 340.316 - Application, contents — false statements, penalty.
Section 340.318 - Declaration of noncurrency for failure to renew certificate, notice.
Section 340.320 - Practice as technician after revocation, penalty — application for renewal.
Section 340.322 - Renewal, inactive status.
Section 340.324 - Continuing education, requirement.
Section 340.326 - Supervision of veterinarian required — level of supervision.
Section 340.328 - Emergency treatment authorized — immunity.
Section 340.330 - Disciplinary action against technician authorized, when.
Section 340.335 - Loan repayment program for veterinary graduates — fund created.
Section 340.337 - Definitions.
Section 340.339 - Certain areas designated as areas of defined need by department by rule.
Section 340.341 - Eligibility standards for loan repayment program — rulemaking authority.
Section 340.343 - Contract for loan repayment, contents — specific practice sites may be stipulated.
Section 340.345 - Loan repayment to include principal, interest and related expenses — annual limit.
Section 340.350 - Rulemaking authority.
Section 340.381 - Program and fund created, use of moneys.
Section 340.384 - Application procedure — amount of award — number of applicants to be awarded.
Section 340.387 - Contracts for assistance — repayment — forgiveness of loan, when.