The Commonwealth Animal Control Office (CACO) is hereby created, attached to the Department of Health. This Office shall be charged with the implementation of this chapter according to its provisions, always ensuring that the animals in these shelters are treated ethically. The CACO, attached to the Department of Health under the Environmental Health Program shall follow all administrative guidelines for good government by which this Department is governed.
The Executive Director, appointed by the Secretary of Health, who shall exercise the powers of the CACO, shall be a suitable person with vast knowledge about the behavior, psychology and control of the animal population.
The Executive Director shall study the Animal Control Program as his/her first task, and submit the corresponding work schedule for the approval of the Secretary of Health.
This program covers three (3) basic areas:
(1) Development of a Protocol and Regulations with the advice of experts in the animal control area, the College of Veterinarians, animal protection organizations and interested citizens.
(2) Establishment of a strategy for taking proactive steps for organizing and encouraging the municipalities through the subsidy of funds, so they may pick up and control their stray animals.
(3) Development of an educational program that would function as a CACO public relations resource and tool.
History —May 30, 1984, No. 36, p. 95, added as § 1 on Aug. 30, 2000, No. 242, § 1; Sept. 22, 2004, No. 427, § 1.