"AN ACT BANNING THE POSSESSION OF POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ANIMALS AND THE IMPORTATION, POSSESSION AND LIBERATION OF WILD ANIMALS. "

After the last section, add the following and renumber sections and internal references accordingly:

"Sec. 501. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2009) The Attorney General and any veterinarian licensed pursuant to section 20-197 of the general statutes who operates a veterinary office shall be authorized to take physical custody of a potentially dangerous animal listed in section 502 of this act. There shall be a designated place inside the Attorney General's office or in such veterinary office where physical custody of such animal may be taken.

Sec. 502. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2009) The Attorney General or a veterinarian authorized pursuant to section 501 of this act shall take physical custody of a potentially dangerous animal if the owner or person in possession of the potentially dangerous animal voluntarily surrenders physical custody of the animal to the Attorney General or such authorized veterinarian.

Sec. 503. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2009) (a) The Attorney General or an authorized veterinarian taking physical custody of a potentially dangerous animal pursuant to section 502 of this act shall notify the Department of Environmental Protection of such custody not later than twenty-four hours after taking custody of such animal.

(b) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall assume the care and control of the potentially dangerous animal immediately upon receipt of notice under subsection (a) of this section and shall take any action authorized by law to achieve safety and permanency for the animal or to properly dispose of the animal.

(c) Any potentially dangerous animal in the care and control of the commissioner under the provisions of this section shall be considered to be in the custody of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Sec. 504. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2009) Information concerning an owner or person in possession of a potentially dangerous animal left with the Attorney General or an authorized veterinarian shall be confidential and the Attorney General or such veterinarian shall provide to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection all medical history information provided by the owner or person in possession of such animal.

Sec. 505. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2009) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall prepare a public information program regarding the provisions established under sections 501 to 506, inclusive, of this act. Such program shall include distribution to owners or persons in illegal possession of such potentially dangerous animals a pamphlet that contains the following information: (1) An explanation of the process provisions established under sections 501 to 506, inclusive, of this act, (2) the legal ramifications and protections for the owners or persons in possession of such animals, (3) what may happen to the potentially dangerous animal, (4) how to contact the Department of Environmental Protection with questions regarding the relinquishment process, and (5) any other information deemed relevant by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and the Attorney General.

Sec. 506. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2009) An owner or person in possession of a potentially dangerous animal who surrenders such animal to the Attorney General or an authorized veterinarian pursuant to section 502 of this act shall not be charged with animal cruelty, neglect or abandonment. "