N.Y. Education Law § 6714: Treatment records

§ 6714. Treatment records. 1. Upon written request from the owner of

an animal which has received treatment from or under the supervision of

a veterinarian, such veterinarian shall provide to such owner within a

reasonable time period a copy of all records relating to the treatment

of such animal. For the purposes of this section, the term "records"

shall mean all information concerning or related to the examination or

treatment of the animal kept by the veterinarian in the course of his or

her practice. A veterinarian may impose a reasonable charge for

providing copies of such records. A veterinarian may make available to

the owner either the original or a copy of such record or document

including x-rays, electrocardiograms and other diagnostic tests and may

impose a reasonable fee for the reproduction of such copies.

2. A veterinarian licensed pursuant to this article, may disclose

records, as defined in this section, concerning a companion animal as

defined in section three hundred fifty of the agriculture and markets

law which has received treatment by such veterinarian without the

consent of the companion animal's owner under the following

circumstances:

(a) When a veterinarian reasonably and in good faith suspects that a

companion animal's injury, illness or condition is the result of animal

cruelty in violation of section three hundred fifty-one, three hundred

fifty-three or three hundred fifty-three-a of the agriculture and

markets law, the veterinarian shall report the incident and disclose

records concerning the companion animal's condition and treatment to any

officer or agent authorized pursuant to sections three hundred

seventy-one and three hundred seventy-three of the agriculture and

markets law to respond to and investigate complaints of animal cruelty.

The identity of such veterinarian making a report pursuant to this

paragraph shall only be made available to an officer or agent authorized

pursuant to section three hundred seventy-one or three hundred

seventy-three of the agriculture and markets law.

(b) When a veterinarian reasonably believes that disclosure of records

as defined in this section, is necessary to protect the health or

welfare of a companion animal, a person or the public, the veterinarian

may disclose such records to any officer or agent authorized pursuant to

sections three hundred seventy-one and three hundred seventy-three of

the agriculture and markets law to respond to and investigate complaints

of animal cruelty. The identity of such veterinarian making a disclosure

of records pursuant to this paragraph shall only be made available to an

officer or agent authorized pursuant to section three hundred

seventy-one or three hundred seventy-three of the agriculture and

markets law.

(c) Any such veterinarian who reports an incident or discloses records

concerning a companion animal's condition and treatment pursuant to

paragraph (a) or (b) of this subdivision shall be entitled to receive

and be provided with, at no cost to such veterinarian, written or

electronic documentation of such report by the agent or officer to whom

such report was made. Such report shall include but not be limited to

the date such report was made, the identity of the individual against

whom such report was made, the species and description of the animal

about which such report was made, the nature of the injuries to the

animal and the name and license number of the veterinarian who made such

report.

3. A veterinarian acts in good faith within the meaning of this

section when he or she reasonably believes that his or her actions are

necessary to protect the health and welfare of the companion animal or

the public.

4. A veterinarian who reasonably and in good faith reports or

discloses records in accordance with this section shall be immune from

liability in the form of damages in any civil or criminal proceeding on

account of such reporting or disclosure.