N.M. Admin. Code § 16.24.3.15

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024

Section 16.24.3.15 - EMERGENCY FIELD EUTHANASIA

A. From time to time, there will be cases when emergency field euthanasia will be required. Cases shall be limited to:

(1) situations in which the animal is in severe, acute distress or is irremediably suffering in which delay or movement of the animal will cause severe pain and suffering;

(2) situations in which movement of the animal poses immediate and significant risk to the animal, human, or public health or safety.

B. If possible or practical, euthanasia by injection is the preferred method of field euthanasia. If practical, pre-euthanasia drugs shall be given to the animal prior to the euthanasia drugs.

C. If gunshot is used, it shall be performed by a euthanasia technician only if the euthanasia technician is properly certified in the use of firearms permitted by the employing agency of the euthanasia technician, or by a commissioned law enforcement officer. The gunshot shall be placed according to species as taught in board approved euthanasia technician training courses, whenever possible.

D. All instances of emergency field euthanasia shall be documented and shall include the following:

(1) a description of the incident that resulted in the need to conduct emergency field euthanasia;

(2) the date of the incident;

(3) the time of the incident;

(4) a description of the animal including species, gender, estimated age;

(5) the name and contact information of the euthanasia technician or law enforcement officer;

(6) the technique used; and,

(7) the reason why the animal could not be transported to a shelter or euthanasia agency.

E. Emergency field euthanasia incidents shall be reported to the board within 30 days. All documentation and records relating to the incident shall be kept on file by the euthanasia agency for four years and be available for review by the board.

F. The euthanasia technician or commissioned law enforcement officer shall verify death by pupil dilation and cessation of respiration or other methods established by the board approved euthanasia technician training courses prior to remains storage and disposal.

N.M. Admin. Code § 16.24.3.15

16.24.3.15 NMAC - Rp, 16.24.3.15 NMAC, 2/5/14, Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 10, May 29, 2018, eff. 7/1/2018, Repealed by New Mexico Register, Volume XXIX, Issue 11, June 12, 2018, eff. 6/30/2018