47-1707. Penalties for violations of act; judicial review; seizure and disposition of animals, when. (a) In addition to or in lieu of any other civil or criminal penalty provided by law, the commissioner, upon a finding that a person has violated or failed to comply with any provision of the Kansas pet animal act or any rule and regulation adopted hereunder, may impose on such person a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each violation or require such person to attend an educational course regarding animals and their care and treatment. If the commissioner imposes the educational course, such person may choose either the penalty or the educational course. If such person chooses the penalty, the commissioner shall establish the amount pursuant to the penalty provisions of this section. The educational course shall be administered by the commissioner in consultation with Kansas state university college of veterinary medicine.

(b) Any imposition of a civil penalty pursuant to this section shall be only upon notice and opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the Kansas administrative procedure act and shall be subject to review in accordance with the Kansas judicial review act.

(c) Whenever the commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that a person or premises required to be licensed or permitted under the Kansas pet animal act has failed to comply with or has violated any provision of the Kansas pet animal act or any rule and regulation adopted hereunder and that the health, safety or welfare of animals in such person's possession, custody or care is endangered thereby, the commissioner shall seize and impound such animals using emergency adjudicative proceedings in accordance with the Kansas administrative procedure act. Except as provided by K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6412, and amendments thereto, such animals may be returned to the person owning them if there is satisfactory evidence that the animals will receive adequate care by that person or such animals may be sold, placed or euthanized, at the discretion of the commissioner. Costs of care and services for such animals while seized and impounded shall be paid by the person from whom the animals were seized and impounded, if that person is found to be in violation of the Kansas pet animal act or any rules and regulations adopted hereunder. Such funds shall be paid to the commissioner for reimbursement of care and services provided during seizure and impoundment. If such person is not found to be in violation of the Kansas pet animal act or any rules and regulations adopted hereunder, the commissioner shall pay the costs of care and services provided during seizure and impoundment.

History: L. 1972, ch. 201, § 7; L. 1988, ch. 189, § 8; L. 1991, ch. 152, § 30; L. 1996, ch. 151, § 11; L. 2005, ch. 190, § 2; L. 2010, ch. 17, § 89; L. 2011, ch. 30, § 197; L. 2012, ch. 125, § 27; July 1.