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S 6573

Requires municipal employees to attempt to identify and notify the owners of a deceased dog or cat recovered on public roads

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and 1 co-sponsor

Bill S 6573 requires municipal employees to identify and notify pet owners of deceased dogs and cats found on public roads, offering support during their loss.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · S 6573

Summary of Bill S 6573

Title: Requires municipal employees to attempt to identify and notify the owners of a deceased dog or cat recovered on public roads

Bill Number: S 6573
Introduced On: March 17, 2025
Current Status: Referred to Codes
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 6573 aims to establish a protocol for municipal employees regarding the handling of deceased pets—specifically dogs and cats—found on public roads. The primary intent of the bill is to ensure that efforts are made to identify the owners of these animals and notify them, thereby providing a measure of compassion and support during a difficult time.

Key Provisions

  • Identification Efforts: Municipal employees are required to make reasonable attempts to identify the owners of deceased dogs and cats found on public roads.

  • Notification Requirement: Once the owners are identified, municipal employees must notify them about the recovery of their deceased pet.

  • Implementation Guidelines: The bill may outline specific procedures or guidelines that municipalities should follow to effectively implement these identification and notification efforts.

Affected Parties

  • Municipal Employees: The bill directly impacts the responsibilities of municipal employees who handle animal control or public safety duties.

  • Pet Owners: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are pet owners who may experience the loss of their animals. The notification process aims to provide them with closure and the opportunity to retrieve their pets.

  • Local Governments: Municipalities will need to establish or modify existing protocols to comply with the new requirements set forth by this legislation.

Legislative Timeline

  • March 17, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Agriculture Committee.
  • May 14, 2025: Bill reported and committed to Local Government.
  • June 6, 2025: Bill amended and recommitted to Local Government; printed as number 6573A.
  • June 11, 2025: Committee discharged and committed to Rules; ordered to third reading and passed in the Senate.
  • June 11, 2025: Delivered to the Assembly and referred to Codes.

Related Legislation

  • S 9719: A related bill from the prior session that may address similar issues regarding animal welfare.
  • A 1698: A companion bill in the Assembly that likely parallels the provisions of S 6573.

Conclusion

Bill S 6573 represents a compassionate approach to managing the unfortunate occurrence of deceased pets on public roads. By mandating that municipal employees identify and notify pet owners, the bill seeks to provide a supportive framework for grieving pet owners while enhancing the responsibilities of local government employees. The bill is currently under consideration in the legislative process, having passed the Senate and referred to the Assembly for further action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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