Animal Welfare Laws
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Boston Terrier Rescue of East Tennessee Law Links

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Click Here for some very informative links regarding animal law.

Tennessee Law as it relates to shelters holding "strays" for a minimum of 3 days

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  68-8-107. Seizure of dogs running at large - Notification of seized
  animals - Redemption by owner - Vaccination requirement. -

  (a) Any dog found running at large may be seized by any peace officer
  and placed in an animal shelter in counties or cities where an animal
  shelter or pound is available.

 

  (b) If the dog or cat is wearing a rabies vaccination tag or other
  identification, all reasonable effort shall be made to locate and notify the
  owners who shall be required to appear within five (5) days and redeem the
  animal by pa ying a pound fee as set by the city or county legislative body.
  A failure to pay the pound fee, or have the animal vaccinated if proof of
  current vaccination is not produced prior to release, shall require the
  animal to be adopted or destroyed.

 

  (c) If any dog or cat is not wearing a vaccination tag or other
  identification, the animal may be adopted or destroyed, unless legally
  claimed by the owner within three (3) days.

 

  (d) No dog or cat three (3) months of age or older shall be released
  from a shelter without having proof of current vaccination or until it has
  been vaccinated and, where applicable, a tag issued.

 

  (e) A county may allow, by local ordinance, the adoption of a dog or
  cat three (3) months of age or older without a vaccination as long as
  procedures are established to ensure that the animal is vaccinated for
  rabies within seventy-two (72) hours of release from the shelter.

 

  [Acts 2004, ch. 765, ยง 1.]