ORS 686.440
Immunity from civil liability for emergency treatment

(1)

A veterinarian or veterinary technician is not civilly liable for the acts or omissions described in subsection (2) of this section if:

(a)

The animal has been brought to the veterinarian or veterinary technician by a person other than the owner of the animal; and

(b)

The veterinarian or veterinary technician does not know who owns the animal or is unable to contact an owner of the animal before a decision must be made with respect to emergency treatment or euthanasia.

(2)

The immunity granted by this section applies to:

(a)

Any injury to an animal or death of an animal that results from acts or omissions of the veterinarian or veterinary technician in providing treatment to the animal; and

(b)

The euthanasia of a seriously injured or seriously ill animal.

(3)

Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, this section does not apply to any act or omission of a veterinarian or veterinary technician that constitutes gross negligence in providing treatment to an animal.

(4)

A veterinarian is completely immune from any civil liability for the decision to euthanize an animal under the circumstances described in subsection (1) of this section. [1997 c.243 §2]

Source: Section 686.440 — Immunity from civil liability for emergency treatment, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors686.­html.

686.010
Definitions 686.020
License required to practice veterinary medicine 686.030
Acts constituting practice of veterinary medicine 686.040
Application of ORS 686.020 (1)(a) 686.045
Qualifications for license 686.055
Application for license 686.065
Issuance of temporary license to certain applicants 686.075
Examination of applicants 686.085
Serving internship before being eligible for license 686.095
Issuance of licenses 686.110
Renewal of licenses or permits 686.120
Grounds for discipline 686.130
“Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct” defined 686.132
Grounds for refusal to issue or renew license or permit 686.135
License or permit denial and discipline procedures 686.150
Disciplinary sanctions 686.155
Fine for administrative or clerical violation of law or rule 686.160
Reapplication after license withheld or revoked 686.170
Appointment of committee to investigate alleged violations of chapter 686.210
Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board 686.220
Officers 686.230
Compensation and expenses of members 686.240
Employment of investigator and other employees 686.246
Oregon State Veterinary Medical Examining Board Account 686.255
Fees 686.260
Investigation of violations 686.270
Injunction against violations 686.290
Courts having jurisdiction 686.360
Duties that may be performed by veterinary technician 686.370
Examination for license 686.375
Veterinary technician license 686.410
Continuing education required 686.420
Notice of license expiration 686.435
Removal of domestic animal from veterinary facility 686.440
Immunity from civil liability for emergency treatment 686.442
Legislative findings 686.445
Reporting of abandoned, neglected or abused animals 686.450
Definitions 686.455
Duty to report aggravated animal abuse 686.460
Duty of law enforcement agency after receiving report of aggravated animal abuse 686.465
Immunity for reporting in good faith 686.470
Duty to report prohibited conduct 686.510
Euthanasia Task Force 686.600
Requirements for veterinary facility 686.990
Penalties
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through early 2024

§ 686.440’s source at oregon​.gov