Ky. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 258
Kentucky Revised Statutes

Ky. Rev. Stat. § 258.245 (2026)

Dogs with rabies vaccination and identification considered personal

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property -- Destruction prohibited. All dogs that have a valid rabies vaccination and bear identification are hereby declared to be personal property and subjects of larceny. Except as provided in KRS 258.235, it shall be unlawful for any person except a peace officer or animal control officer to destroy, or attempt to destroy, any dog that bears identification. Effective: July 13, 2004 History: Amended 2004 Ky. Acts ch. 189, sec. 19, effective July 13, 2004. -- Amended 2003 Ky. Acts ch. 181, sec. 3, effective June 24, 2003. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 440, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1998. -- Created 1954 Ky. Acts ch. 119, sec. 27, effective June 17, 1954.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2006–2022 · leading case: Bess v. Bracken Cnty. Fiscal Court, 210 S.W.3d 177 (Ky. Ct. App. 2006).
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Bess v. Bracken Cnty. Fiscal Court, 210 S.W.3d 177 (Ky. Ct. App. 2006). “The statutory procedure is reactive, whereas the ordinance procedure is proactive, but both enactments seek to reduce the risk of humans being injured by dogs.”
Craig McGillan v. Aimee Bottorff, No. 2020 CA 001074 (Ky. Ct. App. Feb. 10, 2022). “] Craig explains that Kentucky law designates animals as personal property -- that KRS 258.245 declares that “all dogs that have a valid rabies vaccination and bear identification are hereby declared to be personal property and subjects of larceny.”
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