Hey Amber- interesting topic! So in Tennessee, my city attorney has advised that basically it is judiciary discretion whether this bond payment is ordered, and unfortunately, our judges have proven very unlikely to order it (which is fine in most cases, but in those rare complicated cases it would be very helpful and they just don't seem to be willing to do it).
What we have done here instead is create an impound acknowledgment form (attached here) that is a carbon copy. When issuing a summons on scene, we give this form to the owner at time of seizure, where they agree to come in and pay impound fees during the first 72 hours (our legal stray hold) to then "lay claim" that they want to get the pet back.
If they do not come in by that deadline and they signed this form, we considered the pet abandoned and can move forward with an alternate outcome. This has drastically reduced our length of stay for court case holds.
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Alexis Pugh
Director, Memphis Animal Services
www.memphisanimalservices.comOrganizational Management
& Pet Support Services Specialist
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-28-2021 04:59 PM
From: Amber Freiwald
Subject: Thoughts on cost of care laws?
Thoughts on cost of care laws? What's the counter argument? and why aren't more states jumping on board more quickly?
thx!
https://humanepro.org/magazine/articles/living-limbo-why-we-need-cost-care-laws
Cost of care laws (also referred to as bonding and forfeiture laws) vary by state, but they ideally mandate a hearing after animals are seized from an alleged neglect or cruelty situation to secure payment for the animals' care. During the hearing, the owner either posts a bond upfront for the cost of caring for the animals or forfeits ownership of them. In states without cost of care laws, animals are often forced to live in limbo while a court case proceeds. Since animals are considered the owner's property, they can't be adopted into new homes until they're surrendered by the owner or legally forfeited after conviction. This means animals are often held for months or years, all the while municipal shelters and nonprofit rescues foot often exorbitant bills to house, feed and vet the animals.
#CaseManagement*
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#LawsandPublicPolicy
#PetSupportServices*
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Thank you all for all you do!
Amber Freiwald
Maddie's Fund
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