47-624. Unlawful acts; civil penalties. (a) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person who has in such person's possession any domestic animal affected with any contagious or infectious disease, knowing such animal to be so affected, may incur a civil penalty imposed under subsection (b) [(c)] if such person:

(1) Permits such animal to run at large;

(2) keeps such animal where other domestic animals, not affected with or previously exposed to such disease, may be exposed to such contagious or infectious disease;

(3) sells, ships, drives, trades or gives away such diseased and infected animal or animals which have been exposed to such infection or contagion, except by sale, trade or gift to a regularly licensed disposal plant; or

(4) moves or drives any domestic animal in violation of the rules and regulations, directions or orders establishing and regulating quarantine.

(b) Any owner of any domestic animal which has been affected with or exposed to any contagious or infectious disease may dispose of the same after such owner obtains from the animal health commissioner a bill of health for such animal.

(c) Any duly authorized agent of the commissioner, upon a finding that any person, or agent or employee thereof, has violated any of the provisions of subsection (a), may impose a civil penalty upon such person as provided in this section. Such penalty shall be an amount not less than $250 nor more than $1,000 for each such violation and in the case of a continuing violation, every day such violation continues shall be deemed a separate violation.

(d) No civil penalty shall be imposed pursuant to this section except upon the written order of the duly authorized agent of the commissioner to the person who committed the violation. Such order shall state the violation, the penalty to be imposed and the right of the person to appeal to the commissioner. Any such person, within 20 days after notification, may make written request to the commissioner for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas administrative procedure act. The commissioner shall affirm, reverse or modify the order and shall specify the reasons therefor.

(e) Any person aggrieved by an order of the commissioner made under this section may appeal such order to the district court in the manner provided by the Kansas judicial review act.

(f) Any civil penalty recovered pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be remitted to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the state general fund.

History: L. 1911, ch. 312, § 15; R.S. 1923, 47-624; L. 1943, ch. 199, § 3; L. 1989, ch. 156, § 24; L. 1992, ch. 100, § 2; L. 2001, ch. 5, § 163; L. 2010, ch. 17, § 85; L. 2012, ch. 140, § 45; July 1.