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Emergency Law Inventory | Full Law Text

Law Number

Tenn. Code Ann. 63-12-142

Summary Title

Good Samaritan Law: Veterinarian Providing Emergency Treatment

Summary

A licensed veterinarian, or other veterinary personnel working under the direct supervision of the licensed veterinarian, who, in good faith, without compensation, and without being asked to do so, provides emergency treatment to an ill or injured animal will not be held legally responsible. They can be held legally responsible if acting with extreme carelessness. Generally, Good Samaritan laws only offer protection for those individuals who provide care during spontaneous emergencies unrelated to volunteer deployment.

Full Title

Immunity for certain emergency treatment

Full Text

Any licensed veterinarian or ancillary veterinary personnel employed by and working under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian who, in good faith, at such person's own initiative, renders emergency treatment to an ill or injured animal gratuitously and without making charge for such treatment is not liable to the owner of the animal for any civil damages arising from the treatment provided to the animal except in cases of gross negligence. If the licensed veterinarian or ancillary veterinary personnel acting under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian performs euthanasia on an animal, it is presumed that it was a humane act necessary to relieve pain and suffering.

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