New York § 383 - 383Examination of seized animals or animals taken possession of

§ 383. 383Examination of seized animals or animals taken possession of

§ 383. Examination of seized animals or animals taken possession of. 1. Consistent with the provisions of section one hundred seventeen of this chapter and sections three hundred seventy-three and three hundred seventy-four of this article, no later than twenty-four hours, or as soon as practicable, after a companion animal that is a dog or a cat has been seized or taken possession of, except for such animals that have been surrendered by the owner, by any dog control officer, animal control officer or peace officer acting pursuant to his or her special duties, or police officer in the employ of or under contract with a municipality, or any duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, duly incorporated humane society, pound or shelter that is operated by or under contract to a municipality, such officer, society, pound or shelter shall take steps to: (a) Check such animal for all forms of identification, including, but not limited to, tags, microchips, tattoos or licenses; and (b) If practicable and if the necessary technology and equipment are available, for the purposes of this paragraph, make available to the public on the internet on a website or social media maintained by or otherwise made available to such officer, society, pound or shelter by the municipal or county government in which such officer, society, pound or shelter is located, a photograph, and a general description of the animal to assist the owner or owners in finding the animal, including the breed or breeds, if known. Information about the animal may be withheld if deemed appropriate to facilitate finding the owner or otherwise protect the safety of the animal. The notice required by this paragraph may be made by means other than the internet if use of the internet is impracticable. 2. No later than twenty-four hours or as soon as practicable after the seizure or taking possession of such animal potentially identifiable by a form of identification, including a license, tag, tattoo or microchip, or records or reports that are readily available of animals reported to be lost, reasonable efforts shall be made to identify and provide actual notice to the owner of the animal by any means reasonably calculated to provide actual notice to the owner.