§34-29-131. Exemptions.

(a) The board shall provide by rule that sodium pentobarbital, a sodium pentobarbital derivative, or other authorized injectable agents that act on the central nervous system shall be the only means of euthanasia of dogs and cats at facilities approved by the board that are operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats.

(b) The board shall promulgate rules providing for the use of carbon monoxide, CO, and inhalant anesthetics as an acceptable alternative to the injectable agents for individual animals or mass euthanasia in small animals other than dogs or cats. Rules shall include provisions for the type of chamber and gas used, training and inspection requirements, humane comfort of the animals, and safety precautions for personnel.

(c) Euthanasia shall be performed only by a licensed veterinarian or an employee or agent of a facility approved by the board that is operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals, provided the employee or agent has successfully completed a euthanasia technician certification course. The curriculum for the course shall be approved by the board and shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1) The pharmacology, proper administration, and storage of euthanasia solutions.

(2) Federal and state laws regulating the storage and accountability of scheduled drugs.

(3) OSHA Safety and Material Safety Data Sheet Regulations.

(4) Euthanasia stress management.

(5) Proper disposal of euthanized animals.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a licensed veterinary technician, in accordance with Section 34-29-94, and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, who is an employee or agent of a licensed veterinarian or animal shelter as defined in Section 34-29-130, may perform euthanasia without completing the certification course required by subsection (c).

(e) Within by January 31, 2012, any animal shelters operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals, which operated a gas chamber prior to that date shall have dismantled and removed its gas chamber and shall provide documentation to that effect to the board.

(Act 2004-523, p. 1067, §2; Act 2011-626, p. 1479, §2.)