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]

REPORTING OBLIGATIONS