201 Ky. Admin. Regs. 16:562

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 6, December 1, 2024

Section 201 KAR 16:562 - Duties and responsibilities of an animal euthanasia specialist

RELATES TO: KRS 257.160, 321.181, 321.207, 321.235, 321.351

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 321.207(3) requires the Kentucky Board of Veterinary Examiners to issue a certificate to a person who meets the qualifications of an animal euthanasia specialist and is approved by the board for a certificate. KRS 321.235(3) and 321.240(5) authorize the board to promulgate administrative regulations to implement KRS Chapter 321. This administrative regulation establishes the duties and responsibilities of an animal euthanasia specialist.

Section 1. Duties of a Certified Animal Euthanasia Specialist. The duties of a board-certified animal euthanasia specialist shall include the following:

(1) Preparing animals for euthanasia;

(2) Carefully and accurately recording dosages, administration, and drug waste;

(3) Ordering supplies and drugs in accordance with the employing certified animal control agency's operating procedures;

(4) Maintaining the security of all controlled substances and board-approved drugs in accordance with 201 KAR 16:550, 201 KAR 16:552, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws;

(5) Reporting to the board any infraction of KRS Chapter 321 or 201 KAR Chapter 16;

(6) Humanely euthanizing animals;

(7) Disposing of the carcasses in a manner consistent with local, state, and federal laws, including KRS 257.160, and shall be carried out according to the standard operating procedures of the board-certified animal control agency;

(8) Maintaining active certification with the board;

(9) Reporting to the board any change of address, phone, or email within thirty (30) days; and

(10) Providing a written response to a grievance or inquiry from the board within twenty (20) days of receipt.

Section 2. Animals Approved for Euthanasia by Board-certified Animal Euthanasia Specialists. Animal euthanasia shall be conducted within the restrictions outlined in this section, or the practice shall be considered the practice of veterinary medicine and subject to a penalty for practicing without a license.

(1) Euthanasia shall only be conducted upon animals owned by the certified animal control agency, except in cases of emergency as defined by KRS 321.181(10).

(a) Temporary transfer of ownership or a temporary contract shall not be used for the purpose of circumventing this subsection; and

(b) Wildlife shall be redirected to a board-licensed veterinarian, Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator authorized to operate pursuant to 301 KAR 2:075, or to a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator authorized to operate pursuant to 301 KAR 3:120.

(2) Euthanasia shall only be conducted upon the premises of the certified animal control agency, except in cases of emergency as defined by KRS 321.181(10).

(3) All euthanized animals shall be disposed of in accordance with the certified animal control agency's standard operating procedures for carcass disposal in accordance with Section 1(7) of this administrative regulation, and shall not be returned to a prior owner.

Section 3. Approved Drugs for Animal Euthanasia, and Anesthesia or Sedation of Animals Prior to Euthanasia by Certified Animal Euthanasia Specialists.

(1) The drugs approved by the board for euthanasia are:

(a) Sodium pentobarbital; and

(b) Sodium pentobarbital with lidocaine.

(2) The drugs approved by the board for animal anesthesia or sedation prior to euthanasia are, or any combination thereof:

(a) Acepromazine;

(b) Dexmedetomidine;

(c) Ketamine (thirty (30) day supply or less); and

(d) Xylazine.

(3) Expired drugs shall not be used.

(4) Expired drugs shall be disposed of in accordance with 201 KAR 16:552, Section 7.

Section 4. Approved Methods of Euthanasia.

(1) A certified animal euthanasia specialist shall perform euthanasia by means of lethal injection on an animal by use of board-approved euthanasia drugs and drugs used to anesthetize or sedate an animal prior to euthanasia in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.

(2) When using a lethal solution to perform euthanasia on an animal, a certified animal euthanasia specialist shall use the appropriate solution in accordance with the following methods and in the following order of preference, ensuring both humane euthanasia of the animal and the safety of the individuals handling the animal:

(a) Intravenous injection by hypodermic needle;

(b) Intracardial injection by hypodermic needle, but only on an anesthetized or unconscious animal;

(c) Intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle, but only on an anesthetized or unconscious animal; or

(d) Solution or powder added to food.

Section 5. Except as provided for performing the duties set forth in this administrative regulation, an animal euthanasia specialist shall be prohibited from practicing veterinary medicine.

Section 6. Disciplinary Action. A certified animal euthanasia specialist shall be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS 321.235 and 321.351 for a violation of state statutes or administrative regulations.

201 KAR 16:562

49 Ky.R. 1543, 1908; eff. 7/5/2023.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 321.207, 321.235, 321.240