1. (1) No person other than the owner shall tamper with or remove without permission an identification tag, chip, locator, or electronic tracking device from a domesticated animal of any age, including but not limited to a hound or dog used in the sport of hunting.

2. (2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to a person removing an identification tag, chip, locator, or electronic tracking device if the removal is:

   1. (a) Necessary to prevent or treat an injury to the animal;
   2. (b) Done by a law enforcement officer or animal control officer for a legitimate purpose; or
   3. (c) Done with the written permission of the owner of the animal.
3. (3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Effective: June 25, 2009

History: Created 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 21, sec. 1, effective June 25, 2009.