Connecticut General Statutes Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals § 22-26f. State Veterinarian

(a) There shall be a State Veterinarian who shall be an employee of the Department of Agriculture and shall serve as the state animal health official for the state. The Commissioner of Agriculture may designate one or more veterinarians to exercise all or part of the authority, powers and duties of the State Veterinarian in the absence of the State Veterinarian. Any veterinarian designated by the commissioner pursuant to this subsection shall meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The State Veterinarian shall possess and retain during employment a license to practice veterinary medicine in this state. The State Veterinarian shall possess and retain federal accreditation in this state through the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and shall have not less than three years experience in large animal practice.

(c) The State Veterinarian shall (1) act as the official state epidemiologist for animal and poultry diseases, (2) coordinate state and federal governmental agencies and livestock and poultry producers to control diseases, and (3) administer and guide the development and management of disease control and eradication programs performed by the department. The State Veterinarian shall act as liaison with other units in the department, other state agencies and other officials regarding policies concerning disease control and cruelty to animals and shall supervise the quarantine and disposal of animals and poultry condemned because of disease.

(d) The State Veterinarian may issue orders to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases among animals and poultry and may protect the public from such diseases as may be transmissible to human beings, either directly or through the products of such animals.

(e) The State Veterinarian shall annually issue a list of reportable animal and avian diseases and reportable laboratory findings and amend such list as the State Veterinarian deems necessary. The State Veterinarian shall distribute such list as well as any necessary forms and instructions for use in the reporting of such diseases to each veterinarian licensed in this state and to each diagnostic laboratory that conducts tests on animals or birds in this state.