The Arizona Revised Statutes have been updated to include the revised sections from the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session. Please note that the next update of this compilation will not take place until after the conclusion of the 56th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, which convenes in January 2024.
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This online version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is primarily maintained for legislative drafting purposes and reflects the version of law that is effective on January 1st of the year following the most recent legislative session. The official version of the Arizona Revised Statutes is published by Thomson Reuters.
32-2239 - Duty of veterinarian to report suspected abuse, cruelty, neglect or animal fighting; immunity
32-2239. Duty of veterinarian to report suspected abuse, cruelty, neglect or animal fighting; immunity
A. A veterinarian who reasonably suspects or believes that an animal has been a victim of abuse, cruelty or neglect or has been involved in animal fighting shall report that suspicion, or cause a report to be made, to law enforcement within forty-eight hours after treatment or examination. The report shall include the breed and description of the animal and the name and address of the owner or person who sought the examination or treatment. Veterinary records shall be provided to local law enforcement on request in furtherance of any criminal investigation for abuse, cruelty, neglect or animal fighting.
B. A veterinarian shall report, in writing, suspected cases of abuse of livestock to the associate director of the division of animal services in the Arizona department of agriculture pursuant to title 3, chapter 11, article 1. The report shall be made within forty-eight hours after treatment or examination and shall include the breed and description of the animal together with the name and address of the owner.
C. A veterinarian who files a report as provided in this section shall be immune from civil liability with respect to any report made in good faith.