(a) Generally.--If a domestic animal, domestic animal product or other property has not been condemned under authority of this chapter, the department shall have the discretion to pay to the owner of any domestic animal or other property a sum which shall not exceed 33% of the appraised value of that domestic animal or other property and may compensate a person for cleanup costs and disposal costs or a portion thereof in consideration of that owner or other authorized person voluntarily slaughtering or destroying that domestic animal or other property and implementing cleanup and disposal measures in accordance with this chapter and with the prior agreement of the department. This discretion may be exercised only upon the department's determination that the destruction and disposal of the domestic animal or other property serves to protect public health, the safety or quality of the food supply or the economic well-being of domestic animal industries. Payment of a depopulation incentive under this section is limited by the availability of funds for this purpose.

(b) Limits.--A depopulation incentive payment shall not exceed $2,000 with respect to any individual domestic animal. A depopulation incentive payment plus the salvage value and any other compensation received from other sources shall not exceed 90% of the appraised value of the domestic animal or other property that is the subject of the depopulation incentive payment. Notwithstanding the definition of "owner" in section 2303 (relating to definitions), depopulation incentive payments made under this section shall be made only to those persons who have an actual ownership interest in the domestic animal or other property that is the subject of the depopulation incentive payment.

(c) Cats and dogs.--The department may not make depopulation incentive payments for cats and dogs.

(Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1495, No.190, eff. imd.)

2002 Amendment. Act 190 amended subsec. (a). Section 7 of Act 190 provided that the amendment shall apply to cleanup costs and disposal costs incurred on or after October 1, 2001.

Cross References. Section 2332 is referred to in section 2333 of this title.