P.R. Laws tit. 5, § 1676
(a) The termination of the life of an animal may only be conducted by a veterinarian or by properly trained personnel under the supervision of a veterinarian, through techniques approved by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and complying with the provisions of §§ 2951 et seq. of Title 20; §§ 407 et seq. of Title 20; and §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 24.
(b) The animal shall be tended to during the entire process, until its death is certified by a veterinarian.
(c) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a third-degree felony.
(1) If upon conviction, the accused qualifies and avails him/herself of serving time on probation or of any alternative method other than jail imprisonment, the punishment shall entail a mandatory fine ranging from three thousand [dollars] ($3,000) to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(d) Emergency situations. —
(1) In emergency situations in which the animal is of such a size that the same cannot be transported, the person in charge of or who finds the animal shall call the nearest police station so that an officer may, through police headquarters, directly contact a veterinarian in his/her region. In the event the veterinarian is unable to reach the location, and after a detailed description by the police officer of the condition of the animal, the veterinarian may instruct him/her so that he/she induce a compassionate death by coup de grace. Any unauthorized person who induces the death of an animal shall be guilty of a fourth-degree felony.
(2) If upon conviction, the accused qualifies and avails him/herself of serving time on probation or of any alternative method other than jail imprisonment, the punishment shall entail a mandatory fine ranging from one thousand [dollars] ($1,000) to five thousand dollars ($5,000).
History —Aug. 4, 2008, No. 154, § 2.13.