| 7/28/2020 11:14 am Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations | VA.R. Document Number: R____-______ |
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Virginia Register Publication Information
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Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
Initial Agency Notice
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Agency Decision
| Promulgating Board: | Board of Veterinary Medicine |
| Regulatory Coordinator: | Elaine J. Yeatts (804)367-4688 elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Agency Contact: | Leslie L. Knachel Executive Director (804)597-4130 leslie.knachel@dhp.virginia.gov |
| Contact Address: | Department of Health Professions 9960 Mayland Drive Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23233 |
| Chapter Affected: | |
| 18 vac 150 - 20: | Regulations Governing the Practice of Veterinary Medicine |
| Statutory Authority: |
State: Chapter 38 of Title 54.1 Federal: |
| Date Petition Received | 02/21/2020 |
| Petitioner | Jeffree Hudson |
To amend regulations to require sedation of an animal to be euthanized.
Agency Plan
The petition will be published on March 16, 2020 in the Register of Regulations and
also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Townhall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive
public comment ending April 15, 2020.
Following receipt of all comments on the petition to amend regulations, the Board
will decide whether to make any changes to the regulatory language. This matter will
be on the Board's agenda for its first meeting after the comment period, which is
scheduled for July 28, 2020. The petitioner will be informed of its decision after
that meeting.
| Publication Date | 03/16/2020 (comment period will also begin on this date) |
| Comment End Date | 04/15/2020 |
Take no action
| Agency Response Date | 07/28/2020 |
At its meeting on July 28, 2020, the Board reviewed copies of all comments on the
petition, as well as copies of the directive from the VDACS and the State Veterinarian
on euthanasia and the guidelines on euthanasia from the American Veterinary Medical
Association.
The Board acknowledged that veterinarians take very seriously their responsibility
to animals and their owners to reduce suffering as humanely as possible. Veterinarians
are expected to use their professional judgment in such situations. Owners who are
concerned about the process may consult with the veterinarian about the euthanasia
process and the possible need for sedation.
The commenter noted the VDACS directive on euthanasia. According to that agency, shelters
typically do sedate an animal because they use non-veterinarian staff for euthanasia,
so there is no opportunity for professional judgment by a veterinarian as to whether
sedation is advisable.