Sec. 7.5. (a) If, during the assessment, a caseworker observes, or has reason to believe, that an animal is a victim of animal cruelty, abandonment, or neglect, the caseworker may make a report of the observed or suspected animal cruelty, abandonment, or neglect to:
(1) the local law enforcement agency; or
(2) the local animal control officer.
(b) The information provided in a report under subsection (a) must include the following:
(1) A name and description of the animal and the animal's condition.
(2) The name and contact number, if known, of the owner or custodian of the animal.
(3) The address or location of the observed or suspected animal cruelty, abandonment, or neglect.
(4) The nature and apparent extent of the observed or suspected animal cruelty, abandonment, or neglect.
(c) This section does not impose a duty or obligation on the caseworker to investigate known or suspected animal cruelty, abandonment, or neglect.
(d) A caseworker who makes a report of an animal that may be a victim of animal cruelty, abandonment, or neglect is immune from any civil or criminal liability unless the caseworker made the report as a result of gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.
(e) The identity of any caseworker who makes a report under this section is confidential.
(f) This section does not expand or limit other laws concerning confidentiality requirements.
As added by P.L.106-2018, SEC.4.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.