14-360.1. Immunity for veterinarian reporting animal cruelty.
Any veterinarian licensed in this State who has reasonable cause to believe that an animal has been the subject of animal cruelty in violation of G.S. 14-360 and who makes a report of animal cruelty, or who participates in any investigation or testifies in any judicial proceeding that arises from a report of animal cruelty, shall be immune from civil liability, criminal liability, and liability from professional disciplinary action and shall not be in breach of any veterinarian-patient confidentiality, unless the veterinarian acted in bad faith or with a malicious purpose. It shall be a rebuttable presumption that the veterinarian acted in good faith. A failure by a veterinarian to make a report of animal cruelty shall not constitute grounds for disciplinary action under G.S. 90-187.8. (2007-232, s. 1.)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
Article 47 - Cruelty to Animals.
§ 14-360 - Cruelty to animals; construction of section.
§ 14-360.1 - Immunity for veterinarian reporting animal cruelty.
§ 14-361 - Instigating or promoting cruelty to animals.
§ 14-361.1 - Abandonment of animals.
§ 14-362.1 - Animal fights and baiting, other than cock fights, dog fights and dog baiting.
§ 14-362.2 - Dog fighting and baiting.
§ 14-362.3 - Restraining dogs in a cruel manner.
§ 14-363 - Conveying animals in a cruel manner.