STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 52nd Legislature (2009)

HOUSE BILL 1045	By:	Duncan

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to animals; amending 4 O.S. 2001, Section 43, which relates to regulation and control of dogs running at large; eliminating certain population restriction; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     4 O.S. 2001, Section 43, is amended to read as follows:
Section 43.  A.  The board of county commissioners of any county with a population of two hundred thousand (200,000) or more according to the last Federal Decennial Census may regulate or prohibit the running at large of dogs within said that county, and cause such the dogs as may be running at large to be impounded and disposed:
1.  Impounded;
2.  Disposed of as otherwise provided for by law; or sold
3.  Sold to discharge the costs and penalties provided for the violation of such this prohibition and the expense of impounding and keeping the same for such sale; and.
The board of county commissioners may also provide for the erection of all needful pens, pounds and buildings for the use of said the county at any place within said the county.  
B.  It shall be the duty of the board of county commissioners of any county undertaking the regulation and taxation of dogs in said the county under this act section to establish and enforce rules governing the same, and they shall enter into a definite cooperative agreement with the sheriff of said the county prescribing said the rules and regulations and the manner and terms of enforcement thereof, and for the financing and compensation therefor.  
C.  The board of county commissioners may also regulate and provide for taxing the owners and harborers of dogs, and authorize the humane killing or disposal of dogs, found at large, contrary to any ordinance regulating the same.  
D.  Any person, firm or corporation who violates any rule or regulation made by such board of county commissioners under the authority of this act section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided by the laws of this state in any court of competent jurisdiction, provided that in the case of continuing offenses, each day on which the offense occurs shall constitute a separate offense.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2009.

52-1-5046	SAB	12/16/08