ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

First Regular Session

Senate: NREW DP 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 26-3-1-0

House: LARA DP 8-0-1-0

SB1060: animal owners; definition

Sponsor: Senator Kavanagh, LD 3

House Engrossed

Overview

Excludes from the definition of owner any person who keeps an animal at the request of an animal shelter and adds to the definition of stray dog that the dog must not be microchipped.

History

Animal Shelters and Ownership

Statute defines animal shelter as a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals or other nonprofit corporate organization devoted to the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals. Owner is defined as any person that keeps an animal other than livestock for more than six consecutive days (A.R.S. § 11-1001).

Microchipping

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, a microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder about the size as a grain of rice. Once inserted, the microchip is activated by a scanner, causing it to transmit an identification number to the scanner. This identification number can then be used to find an owner's contact information in the event the microchip is scanned.

Microchip implantation does not require surgery or anesthesia and can take place during a regular veterinary visit via an under-the-skin injection using a hypodermic needle. Microchips are generally inserted in the loose skin between an animal's shoulder blades.

Currently, animals must be thoroughly scanned for the presence of a microchip upon being impounded. If a dog or cat that is not eligible for a sterilization program is impounded with a microchip, license or any other discernible form of owner identification, it must be kept at a county pound for 120 hours as opposed to the minimum of 72 hours for unidentifiable animals (A.R.S. § 11-1013). Further, an animal must be checked for microchips, tattoos and other identifying information before it is sterilized in order to be released from a county, city or town pound or animal shelter (A.R.S. § 11-1022).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteSpecifies that the definition of owner does not include any person who keeps an animal at the request of an animal shelter. (Sec. 1)

2.   Adds to the definition of stray dog that the dog must not be microchipped. (Sec. 1)

3.   Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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8.   Initials PAB/AH     Page 0 House Engrossed

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