Under current law, veterinarians in Kentucky are forbidden to report animal cruelty without the express permission of the animal's owner or unless a court orders the disclosure. | Photo: iStock

The Kentucky legislature is considering a measure that would require veterinarians to report instances of animal cruelty to law enforcement authorities. Under current law, veterinarians in Kentucky are forbidden to report animal cruelty without the express permission of the animal’s owner or unless a court orders the disclosure.

Introduced earlier this month by Kentucky State Senators C.B. Embry Jr. (R-06) and Morgan McGarvey (D-19), the measure amends Kentucky Revised Statute Chapter 321 to require reporting and, if passed, would make veterinarians immune from civil litigation resulting from the disclosure, as long as they make the report in good faith.

In the past, some veterinarians have opposed legislation that would require them to report instances of animal cruelty on grounds that it would violate veterinarian/client confidentiality and jeopardize their ability to retain existing clients or attract new ones