Wyo. Code R. 015-0014-1
Cruelty to Household Pet Animals Protection Account
Chapter 1: Cruelty to Household Pet Animals Protection Account
Effective Date: 06/10/2011 to 10/08/2011
Rule Type: Expired Emergency Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 015.0014.1.06102011
These rules are promulgated by the Wyoming Attorney General pursuant to WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(o) (2011 Senate Enrolled Act 83).
The purpose of these rules is to implement the Cruelty to Household Pet Animals Protection Account (“Account”). The Account was created to reimburse county law enforcement agencies for eligible expenses regarding household pet animal cruelty cases under WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(p). These rules establish eligible expenses and set forth the procedures how county law enforcement agencies may be reimbursed for eligible expenses.
If any portion of these rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in effect.
(a) Eligible expenses are those expenses necessarily incurred by a county law enforcement agency as a result of a household pet animal cruelty case pursuant to WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(p). Eligible expenses include the following:
(i) Reasonable expenses that are necessary for the care of household pets which include, but are not limited to:
(ii) Reasonable and necessary testing performed upon a household pet.
(iii) Overtime wages and travel expenses paid to county law enforcement agency personnel as a result of a household pet animal cruelty case pursuant to WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(p).
(iv) Reasonable expert witness fees required for the prosecution of a household pet animal cruelty case pursuant to WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(p).
(v) Necessary equipment/supplies leased or purchased for a particular household pet animal cruelty case.
Any county law enforcement agency may apply in writing to the Wyoming Attorney General to request reimbursement of eligible expenses incurred as a result of a household pet animal cruelty case under WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(p). Each application shall follow the procedure set forth in Section 6.
(a) An eligible applicant may submit a written application to the Wyoming Attorney General. The application shall clearly set forth:
(i) The facts and circumstances of the household pet animal cruelty case for which reimbursement is sought;
(ii) An itemized list of each eligible expense for which reimbursement is requested; and
(iii) A statement explaining the law enforcement agency's efforts to seek reimbursement of eligible expenses from the offender.
(b) The application shall also contain supporting documentation (receipt, voucher, contract, etc.) for each eligible expense.
(c) The application shall be signed by the head of the county law enforcement agency seeking reimbursement.
(a) The Attorney General will use his discretion to decide whether an applicant is eligible to receive funds from the Account and how much will be awarded, if any. The Attorney General will attempt to reimburse eligible applicants up to 90% of its eligible expenses in any particular household pet animal cruelty case contingent upon available funding and upon a showing that the applicant has made reasonable efforts to seek reimbursement from the offender, as permitted by law. In exercising his discretion, the Attorney General may consider such factors as the availability of funds in the Account, the competing needs of other applicants for funds from the Account, the reasonableness of the eligible expenses and such other factors and circumstances deemed relevant by the Attorney General.
(b) The Attorney General will attempt to announce his decision on the amount of reimbursement of eligible expenses within thirty (30) days of receipt of the written application. In the event the Attorney General requires more information from the applicant, he may request more information from the applicant, who will respond to the request within a reasonably prompt time. In cases where the Attorney General requests more information from the applicant, the Attorney General's thirty (30) day period for a decision will commence from the date of receipt of the additional information.
Funds shall be disbursed from the Account to the eligible applicant upon a showing that the applicant has expended, or has been contractually obligated to expend, the amount of eligible expenses to be disbursed. The Attorney General may disburse an award in a single disbursement or multiple disbursements, as he finds appropriate. In the case of projected eligible expenses, the Attorney General may set aside or reserve funds in the Account to satisfy such expenses.
Funds from the Account shall not be used by the applicant for purposes not specified in these rules or WYO. STAT. ANN. § 6-3-203(o), nor shall Account funds be used to supplant funds from other sources. If funds from other sources reimburse an eligible applicant for an eligible expense previously reimbursed by the Attorney General, the applicant shall refund to the Attorney General the amount of the eligible expense reimbursed with funds from other sources.