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3. The Town understands that it is their sole responsibility to seek and provide veterinary care for a sick or injured impounded animal. The Town agrees to seek said care from a licensed Veterinarian, and to adhere to the care/treatment recommendations from said Veterinarian. Contact information for the Veterinarian(s) routinely worked with by the Town will be furnished when the signed contract is returned to the SPCA. If the Town does not provide veterinarian information when returning this Contract, the Contract will be considered void. Furthermore, the Town understands and acknowled ges that failure to provide medical care to an impounded animal in need may immediately void this agreement and could lead to criminal charges. a. NYCRR, Part 77.2 requires that all dogs seized under AML, Article 7 “...shall be properly cared for, sheltered, fed and watered for the redemption period...” “Properly cared for” includes veterinary care when necessary. Any seized dog suffering from illness or serious injury must receive prompt treatment by a licensed veterinarian. A common sense evaluation of the seized dog by the DCO is necessary to determine when that care is necessary. For example, if a dog appears to have been hit by a car, has lacerations and possible fractures and is in pain, that animal needs to be seen by a veterinarian. The municipality is responsible for stabilizing care|for that animal, but not for orthopedic surgery or other major surgery or diagnostics. Stabilization may include intravenous fluids, cleaning of wounds, supportive wraps for fractures; pain control, etc. Other examples would be a dog that is weak, unable to walk, is vomiting, etc., or a dog with porcupine quills. That dog also needs to be seen by a veterinarian. It is not acceptable to deliver a dog in need of veterinary care to a shelter and leave it in a cage when no arrangements have been made for treatment. This is of particular importance if a dog is delivered to the shelter after hgurs and left unattended in a cage when in need of veterinary care. The municipality could be subject to the Agriculture and Markets cruelty law since needed care was not supplied. The municipality may have a formal arrangement with the shelter to assist in getting veterinary care, with the understanding that all cost will be borne by the municipality. b. In circumstances where a dog’s medical condition is too severe to be adequately maintained a the Town’s holding facility, the dog may be transferred to the SPCA for medical evaluation and treatment, subject to the prior mutual agreement of both parties. The Town acknowledges that! the SPCA is not equipped to provide acute or emergency medical care requiring 24-hour stabilizing treatment. Should the SPCA provide medical evaluation or stabilization but subsequently decline to accept the dog for transfer, the Town shall remain solely responsible for all costs associated with the medical care rendered by the SPCA. 4. In the event the Town feels that the physical condition of the dog at the time of initial impoundment may rise to the level of animal cruelty, the Town understands it may contact the SPCA. The SPCA agrees tio arrange for the Town to bring the dog to the shelter and to have a member of its medical and/or Law Enforcement team examine the dog. If the SPCA deems the condition of the dog may in fact be evidence of the crime of cruelty to animals, the SPCA will accept said dog, hold the dog stray time and open an investigation. The Town understands that it must take the dog back, hold stray time, and provide medical treatment as described above in the event the SPCA declines to accept the dog for further investigation solely at the Town’s own expense. The Town also agrees to reimburse the SPCA|for any veterinary care provided to stabilize the animal while in the care of the SPCA.