Oklahoma welfare proposal to protect veterinarians from civil suits

OKLAHOMA CITY - 04/25/06 - A bill approaching the Oklahoma Senate floor will protect veterinarians who report suspected animal abuse cases from civil liability.

HB 1672, which is supported by the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA), passed out of committee in early April. It mandates that all veterinarians report suspected abuse cases, provides immunity from civil liability for reporting suspected abuse, and it give impounding agencies the ability to petition courts to have the owners of seized animals post bond for reimbursement of anticipated costs incurred by the agency that is caring for the seized animals.

"This bill is essential for law enforcement officers to move forward with seizures of animals in suspected animal cruelty cases and neglect cases," according to the OVMA.