§ 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.