Connecticut General Statutes Title 22. Agriculture. Domestic Animals § 22-354a. Payment contracts and lease agreements for ownership of dogs or cats. Voided. Ownership of affected dog or cat. Exemptions

(a) Any contract entered into on or after October 1, 2019, that is described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall be deemed void: (1) A contract to transfer ownership of a dog or cat that is contingent upon the making of payments over a period of time by one party subsequent to the transfer of possession of such dog or cat to such party, and (2) any contract for the lease of a dog or cat that provides for or offers the option of the transfer of ownership of such dog or cat at the end of such lease. The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be deemed to apply to any payment to repay an unsecured loan for the purchase of any dog or cat.

(b) In addition to any other remedy provided under state or federal law, any person who takes possession of a dog or cat that is transferred pursuant to a contract described in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section shall be deemed the owner of such dog or cat and shall be entitled to the return of all amounts said person paid pursuant to such contract.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to any lease or rental of any of the following animals provided such animal is used in accordance with any applicable provision of federal or state law or any municipal ordinance: (1) Any purebred dog that is rented for the purpose of breeding, pursuant to a written lease, when such lease is recorded with a national purebred dog registry and such lease is for a specific period of time and contains an end date for such lease, (2) any animal used in a spectator event, show, exhibition, motion picture, audiovisual media, including, but not limited to, any animal exhibition, any racing event, any field trial, polo or any rodeo, or (3) any working animal that is trained or utilized to perform tasks, including, but not limited to, service animals, security dogs, law enforcement dogs and any assistance animal. For the purposes of this subsection, “service animal” has the same meaning as provided in section 22-345.