Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 23 - Domestic Animals
Section 2331 - Indemnification

(a) In general.--Whenever a condemned domestic animal, domestic animal product or other condemned property is slaughtered or destroyed by order of the department to eradicate or prevent the spread of dangerous transmissible disease or contamination by a hazardous substance, the department may compensate the owner of such domestic animal, domestic animal product or other condemned property for a portion of the appraised value of the domestic animal or property and may compensate a person for cleanup costs and disposal costs or a portion thereof, provided that such compensation is made in accordance with this section. Notwithstanding the definition of "owner" set forth in section 2303 (relating to definitions), indemnification payments and payments of cleanup costs and disposal costs made under this section shall be made only to those persons who have an actual ownership interest in the domestic animal or other property that is the subject of the indemnification payment.
(b) Indemnification limits.--
(1) The amount of indemnity paid by the department shall not exceed $2,000 with respect to any individual domestic animal.
(2) The amount of indemnity paid by the department with respect to domestic animals condemned under authority of this chapter shall not exceed the sum of $200,000 for any group of domestic animals, regardless of the number of owners having domestic animals within such group of condemned domestic animals.
(3) The maximum amount of indemnity paid by the department shall not exceed 67% of the appraised value of the condemned domestic animal, domestic animal product or other condemned property for which indemnification is sought.
(4) The amount of indemnity paid by the department to the owner of domestic animals condemned under authority of this chapter plus the salvage value and the value of indemnity payments received from any other source shall not exceed 90% of the appraised value of such domestic animals.
(5) The amount of indemnity which the department may pay under this section shall be limited by the availability of funds for this purpose.
(6) Funds for indemnification under this section may not be paid by the department to indemnify owners of condemned cats and dogs.
(b.1) Cleanup costs and disposal costs.--
(1) The department may pay cleanup costs and disposal costs incurred on or after October 1, 2001, but prior to the effective date of this subsection if the cleanup and disposal activities generating the costs are agreed upon in writing between the department and the person incurring the costs.
(2) The department may pay cleanup costs and disposal costs incurred on or after the effective date of this subsection if the cleanup and disposal activities generating the costs are agreed upon in writing between the department and the person incurring the costs in advance of the performance of the activities.
(3) The amount of cleanup costs and disposal costs which the department may pay under this section shall be limited by the availability of funds for this purpose.
(c) Forfeiture.--A person shall not be eligible for any indemnity payment, depopulation incentive payment, cleanup cost payment or disposal cost payment under this chapter for any domestic animal, group of domestic animals, domestic animal product or other article if such person has been determined by the department to have committed a violation of any provision of this chapter or order, rule or regulation adopted under authority of this chapter that has resulted in the condemnation for which indemnity would be paid. A person shall not be eligible for any indemnity payment, depopulation incentive payment, cleanup cost payment or disposal cost payment with respect to any domestic animal or group of domestic animals having a condition of disease or contamination which the department has determined to have been directly caused by the person's willful misuse of a pesticide or a hazardous substance.
(d) Appraisal.--Whenever the department condemns domestic animals, domestic animal products or other articles, the value of such animals, products and articles shall be appraised. No domestic animal that is dead shall be appraised, and no indemnity shall be payable for such domestic animal, except that a domestic animal that dies after condemnation by the department may be appraised on the basis of its condition at the time of condemnation and indemnity may be paid with respect to such a domestic animal. The department shall determine the appraised value of the condemned domestic animal, products or articles taking into consideration the current market values, age of the animal, physical condition of the animal, its condition as to disease, nature and extent of disease, breeding value, milk production value, salvage value of the animal and any other factors which may influence value. If the department and the owner of the condemned domestic animals, domestic animal products or other articles are unable to agree on the appraised value of the domestic animals, products or articles, then the department and the owner may appoint a mutually agreeable appraiser to determine the appraised value. Costs of such an appraisal shall be borne by the owner. In the absence of such a mutually agreeable appraiser, the department's determination of the appraised value shall control.
(e) Disposal of condemned domestic animal.--A domestic animal that has been condemned by the department and is eligible for indemnity under this chapter shall be disposed of by the owner, under the supervision of the department, in accordance with the laws of this Commonwealth and regulations adopted by the department. When condemned domestic animals are approved by the department for salvage, the salvage value shall be paid directly to the owner by the buyer of the live domestic animal or the buyer of the carcass, hide, offal or other by-product. The buyer shall promptly present an itemized statement of the salvage value to the department to determine the amount, if any, due from the department to the owner.
(Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1495, No.190, eff. imd.)

2002 Amendment. Act 190 amended subsecs. (a) and (c) and added subsec. (b.1). Section 7 of Act 190 provided that the amendment shall apply to cleanup costs and disposal costs incurred on or after October 1, 2001.
Cross References. Section 2331 is referred to in sections 2333, 2334 of this title.

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes