37-528. Administration of drugs to wildlife; prohibited acts; violation; penalty; section, how construed; powers of conservation officer.

(1) For purposes of this section, drug means any chemical substance, other than food, that affects the structure or biological function of any wildlife under the jurisdiction of the commission.

(2) Except with written authorization from the secretary of the commission or his or her designee or as otherwise provided by law, a person shall not administer a drug to any wildlife under the jurisdiction of the commission, including, but not limited to, a drug used for fertility control, disease prevention or treatment, immobilization, or growth stimulation.

(3) This section does not prohibit the treatment of wildlife to prevent disease or the treatment of sick or injured wildlife by a licensed veterinarian, a holder of a federal migrating bird rehabilitation permit, a holder of a permit regulated under the authority of section 37-316, a holder of a permit regulated under the authority of section 37-4,106, or a holder of a license regulated under the authority of section 37-4,108.

(4) This section shall not be construed to limit employees of agencies of the state or the United States or employees of an animal control facility, animal rescue, or animal shelter licensed under section 54-627 in the performance of their official duties related to public health or safety, wildlife management, or wildlife removal, except that a drug shall not be administered by any person for fertility control or growth stimulation except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(5) A conservation officer may take possession or dispose of any wildlife under the jurisdiction of the commission that the officer reasonably believes has been administered a drug in violation of this section.

(6) A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor.

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