Colorado Veterinary Medical Association Protocol for Mandatory Reporting of Animal Cruelty and Animal Fighting

Dear Colorado veterinarian, On July 1, 2007, it became mandatory for Colorado veterinarians to report animal cruelty and animal fighting. The new law states that if a veterinarian suspects that he or she is treating an animal that has been subjected to cruelty or animal fighting, it must be reported to the appropriate authority. In addition, the veterinarian is protected under the law if he or she reports the incident in good faith. The Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, the Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians, the Denver District Attorney’s Office and the Animal Assistance Foundation came together to facilitate understanding and implementation of this new law. We have developed supporting material to assist you with the spirit and the letter of this law. Please share this information with your practice team so everyone is aware of this new requirement and how to comply. Identifying animal abuse and even human abuse can sometimes be difficult. A number of resources are available to assist you. In this packet you’ll find: