Sec. 3-105. Animal Services and Adoption Center; operations

The Director shall promulgate comprehensive regulations prescribing standards for the operation of the Animal Services and Adoption Center, including, but not limited to, the housing, feeding, care, veterinary treatment, adoption, and humane destruction of animals in the center.

In general, the operations of the Animal Services and Adoption Center, including the administration of euthanasia, shall be open to members of the general public. The Administrator may, however, restrict access to the Animal Services and Adoption Center by a person or persons when, in the judgment of the Administrator, the presence of such person or persons may adversely affect the safety or welfare of any person or may disrupt the efficient operation of the center.

The Administrator, to the extent provided for in the approved current expense budget, shall provide for necessary and appropriate veterinary care of injured or sick animals in the custody of the County. Such veterinary care may be rendered without first obtaining the consent of the owner of the animal receiving such care. Veterinary care shall be rendered by a doctor of veterinary medicine licensed to practice in the State of Maryland except that members of the staff of the Animal Control program, including employees of contractors authorized by the Administrator to do so, may administer medication and veterinary nursing care as prescribed by a veterinarian; provided, however, that nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to affect or diminish the immunity granted by Section 3-104(b)(3). Any veterinarian, or program staff member, or contractors' employee who renders veterinary care, veterinary nursing care, or prescribes or administers medication as authorized by the Administrator shall not be liable, and Prince George's County, Maryland, and its employees and agents shall not be liable, for acts committed or omitted in rendering such care or in administering such medication.

The Administrator, in accordance with the provisions of this Subtitle, may dispose of animals in custody by euthanasia. The regulations to be promulgated by the Director shall provide for the humane destruction of animals in custody. The regulations shall provide standards for the training of personnel for administering euthanasia, acceptable methods of euthanasia, and appropriate disposition of carcasses. The County Executive or his designee is authorized to make contracts for the disposition of animal carcasses upon such terms as, in the judgment of the County Executive, are most advantageous to the County.

The Administrator shall not cause or knowingly permit any live animal in custody to be sold or given up for any experimental purposes. Companion animals shall not be sold or given up for commercial or experimental purposes.