O F F I C E O F L E G I S L A T I V E R E S E A R C H
P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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PA 23-187—sHB 6726
Environment Committee
Judiciary Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING TH E REGULATION OF LIVE STOCK
SUMMARY: This act revises the state’s livestock statutes to reflect language
changes over time from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Among other things, it updates compensation and quarantine requirements for
condemned livestock and public health responsibilities regarding reportable
diseases. It generally requires livestock imported to the state to have a livestock
importation permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection (i.e., health certificate).
It specifies importation requirements for livestock generally, and specifically for
cattle, bison, sheep, goats, camelids (e.g., camels, llamas, alpacas), Cervidae (e.g.,
deer), and swine. The act broadly prohibits importing an animal infected with or
exposed to any infectious disease (e.g., tuberculosis, brucellosis, anaplasmosis,
psoroptic scabies, chronic wasting disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, hog
cholera, pseudorabies, rabies, or scrapie).
The act imposes a general penalty for violating the livestock statutes and related
regulations when specific penalties are not provided. This general penalty subjects
a violator to a $250 fine for a first violation and a class D misdemeanor for a second
(and, presumably, subsequent) violation (see Table on Penalties). The act also
makes other minor, technical, and conforming changes in the livestock-related
statutes and repeals several provisions, the contents of which it generally
incorporates in other sections of the act.
Lastly, the act amends PA 23-17 to allow, rather than require, municipal and
regional animal control officers (ACOs) to inspect local dog kennels annually and
upon receiving a complaint beginning July 1, 2023.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§§ 1 & 2 — LIVESTOCK ORDERS AND REGULATI ONS
Orders and Regulations
By law, the Department of Agriculture (DoAg) commissioner may issue orders
or adopt regulations on importing, transporting, trailing, riding, driving, exhibiting,
examining, testing, identifying, quarantining, or disposing of livestock to prevent
the spread of contagious and infectious disease among the livestock and protect the
public from any transmissible disease. For this and other laws on domestic animal
disease, the act additionally allows the commissioner to designate an agent,
including the state veterinarian, to do his duties. As under existing law, the act
defines “livestock” as any camelid or hooved animal raised for domestic or
commercial use, but the act also specifies that livestock is generally used to produce O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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food or fiber and considered farm animals.
Existing law, unchanged by the act, requires the commissioner to give notice of
orders to the persons named in them by leaving a copy with them or those with
custody of the affected animals, if they are in Connecticut. When those named in
the order are not in Connecticut, prior law required the commissioner to send the
order by registered or certified mail to the last-known address. The act creates an
exception by allowing the commissioner to send an order to an out-of-state person
electronically if that person previously agreed to receive electronic notices.
Similarly, existing law requires the commissioner to give notice to any common
carrier named in an order or affected by a regulation on livestock. Previously, notice
had to be given by leaving a copy with the carrier’s president, secretary, or treasurer
or other person at the carrier or at their last-known address. The act allows the
commissioner to provide these notices through email if the carrier previously
agreed to receive electronic notices.
Under prior law, in the case of an emergency, the commissioner had to give
notice of a regulation limiting or prohibiting moving, exhibiting, or disposing of
livestock on a highway by publishing it in a newspaper with a substantial circulation
in the town in which the affected highway is located. The act applies this
requirement to orders, instead of regulations.
Quarantine Orders
By law, the commissioner may quarantine animals he reasonably believes have
a contagious disease, do not meet DoAg requirements, or are kept in unsanitary
conditions that endanger them or the public. Under existing law, a quarantine order
may prohibit or regulate the sale of the animals and their products and require their
confinement at a place the commissioner designates for as long as he deems
necessary. The act also allows quarantine orders to prohibit or regulate the
movement of the animals, including dead ones (i.e., “mortalities”) and their
products.
Penalties
Under prior law, anyone who violated an order or regulation, or obstructed or
attempted to obstruct the commissioner or his agents in carrying out their duties,
was fined up to $100 or assessed an administrative civil penalty of up to $2,500 per
violation and $250 per day of a continuing violation. Also under prior law, anyone
who violated a quarantine order was fined $500 per day of a continuing violation,
up to $25,000.
The act instead allows violators in each case to be fined up to $500 per day, per
animal, for each day the violation continues, up to $25,000.
§ 3 — DISEASE OR BIOLOGICAL OR CHEMICAL RESIDUE TESTING
Under prior law, any livestock or poultry tested for disease under USDA rules
or for a biological or chemical residue generally had to be quarantined at the testing O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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location until test results were available and signed by a veterinarian or DoAg
employee who administered the test.
The act instead applies this to animals being tested for disease under USDA
rules or for a biological or chemical residue known to be in the state. Additionally,
it requires that the veterinarian involved must be licensed and accredited. Under the
act, an “accredited veterinarian” is a veterinarian approved under category II of the
USDA’s National Veterinary Accreditation Program and by the state animal health
official of the state that licenses the veterinarian to practice.
§ 4 — TUBERCULOSIS TESTING
Under prior law, the DoAg commissioner could require neat cattle (e.g., bulls
or cows) and all goats to be tuberculin tested by a licensed accredited veterinarian
at the state’s expense or a USDA or DoAg veterinarian. The act instead allows the
commissioner to require and provide for the testing and control of tuberculosis in
any livestock at the state’s expense. Testing is restricted to the state veterinarian,
veterinarians the federal government employs, and Connecticut-licensed accredited
veterinarians. (Any infected livestock are subject to the condemnation provisions
in § 5, described below.)
The act requires that the testing procedures and the control and disposition of
any reacting livestock (reactors) conform to one of the following:
1. for goats, cattle, bison, and captive cervids, the USDA Uniform Methods
and Rules for Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication;
2. for other livestock, the procedures, methods, testing, and disposition of
reactors determined by the state veterinarian; or
3. the most recent USDA approved and published procedures for tuberculosis
testing and the control and disposition of tuberculosis-positive livestock.
Further, the act specifies that the state is not liable for any damage incurred or
alleged to have been incurred by any testing.
§§ 5 & 21 — CONDEMNING AND COMPENSATING FOR INFECTED
LIVESTOCK
Condemnation
Under prior law, the DoAg commissioner could have any domestic animal that
tested positive for tuberculosis killed. However, if the animal was cattle, the
commissioner could not do so until he and the cattle’s owner (or their arbitrators)
determined the animal’s value for the state’s compensation to the owner.
The act instead allows the commissioner to have any livestock infected with
any infectious or contagious disease, including tuberculosis, anthrax, or foot and
mouth disease, euthanized. The commissioner must first determine the condemned
livestock’s value for compensation purposes. When determining the value, the act
(1) requires him to consider the livestock’s age, sex, grade, and purpose for being
kept and (2) allows him to consult with livestock dealers, commission sales stables,
or other sources familiar with the value of livestock. O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Prior law specified how an animal that tested positive for tuberculosis had to be
tagged. The act instead requires that a condemned animal be identified with a tag,
brand device, or marking that the commissioner approves. Additionally, existing
law prohibits a condemned animal from being killed, sold, or used for food except
as the commissioner directs. The act also prohibits a condemned animal from being
moved except as the commissioner directs.
Under prior law, once an animal was killed, the premises where the animal was
kept had to be disinfected within 15 days after the commissioner’s order. The act
instead requires the premises to be disinfected within a time period the
commissioner specifies and in a way acceptable to him before livestock are
reintroduced to the premises.
Under the act, anyone aggrieved by a commissioner’s condemnation order may
appeal to Hartford Superior Court within seven days after the order is issued.
Compensation
Under the act, similar to prior law, the state must compensate the condemned
animal’s owner, limited to the difference between the animal’s fair market value
and the amount of indemnity or payment the owner received from the federal
government. The state must not compensate for any livestock unless the animal has
been destroyed. Additionally, the state must not pay for an animal that has no real
value or that was in the state for less than three months before being quarantined,
unless the animal was born into the herd in Connecticut or was imported to the state
in compliance with state law.
The act eliminates an exception in prior law on compensation for animals
condemned to prevent foot and mouth disease or anthrax. It also eliminates a $2,000
limit on the appraisal amount for condemned, registered, purebred bovine animals
and a $1,100 limit for grade bovine animals.
Disposal
Under prior law, cattle and goats found to be affected by a communicable
disease had to be killed, and the carcasses disposed of in keeping with the DoAg
commissioner’s order and at the owner’s expense.
The act instead requires that all carcasses of diseased livestock that are
condemned under state law be disposed of in a way that is acceptable to the
commissioner.
§ 6 — CONDEMNED HERD
Under prior law, the DoAg commissioner had authority to condemn a cattle
herd due to recurring tuberculosis or brucellosis within a two-year period or
substantial infection throughout the herd. Under the act, if the DoAg commissioner
finds that (1) tuberculosis or brucellosis recurs in a livestock herd within a two-year
period or (2) any livestock herd is substantially infected with tuberculosis,
brucellosis, or other infectious or contagious disease, he may condemn the herd to O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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prevent the spread of disease or protect public health. The state must pay
compensation for a condemned herd as described in § 5 above.
As under prior law, anyone aggrieved by a commissioner’s order to condemn a
herd may appeal to Superior Court within seven days after the order is issued, in
accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act.
§ 7 — CARE OF HERDS
Prior law required a herd owner to house, feed, and care for the animals in
sanitary conditions that promote the herd’s health. The act expands this to apply to
any livestock herd to promote the herd’s health and welfare. As under prior law,
calves may be fed milk and dairy products only if they are (1) produced from a herd
that tested negative for tuberculosis or (2) pasteurized at 142 degrees Fahrenheit for
30 minutes.
§ 8 — RECORDKEEPING
Prior law required a herd owner to (1) keep records describing each registered
or graded animal and its final disposition and (2) mark each animal with a tag or
marking the DoAg commissioner approves.
The act instead requires the owner of a livestock herd to keep a record of each
animal in the herd, including the final disposition of each. It requires the herd owner
to mark each animal in the herd with official identification when the animal leaves
the premises and keep the identification in the animal’s record. Under the act,
“official identification” is a numbering system, approved by USDA and the state
veterinarian, that (1) has a nationally unique identification number for each animal,
(2) sets the animal identification methods and devices approved for use in each
livestock species, and (3) is affixed to each animal by tag or other USDA-approved
method. The owner must keep the record for the animal’s life plus one year.
§ 9 — QUARANTINING AN INFECTED HERD
Under prior law, when tuberculosis was found in a herd of cattle or goats, the
entire herd had to be quarantined until it passed three successive negative tests with
at least 60 days between each test. Prior law prohibited an animal from being
removed from the herd during quarantine, except under a written permit from the
DoAg commissioner for slaughtering.
The act expands these requirements to apply to any livestock herd and any
reportable disease. Specifically, it requires that when a disease listed as reportable
or notifiable by DoAg or USDA is found in a livestock herd, the entire herd must
be quarantined until a time determined by the state veterinarian. Also, the act
prohibits an animal from being removed from the herd during quarantine, except
under a written permit from the DoAg commissioner for the permit-specified
purpose and conditions.
§ 10 — BRUCELLOSIS TESTING O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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Prior law authorized the DoAg commissioner to require certain cattle and goats
to be tested for brucellosis by the state veterinarian, veterinarians employed by
DoAg or the federal government, and veterinarians licensed in Connecticut and
assigned by the DoAg commissioner for that purpose. The act instead authorizes
the commissioner to require, and provide for, the testing and control of brucellosis
in any livestock in the state. The act restricts the drawing of blood and milk samples
for brucellosis testing to the state veterinarian, DoAg’s veterinarians and trained
employees, veterinarians the federal government employs, and Connecticut-
licensed accredited veterinarians. (Any infected livestock are subject to the
condemnation provisions in § 5, described above.)
The act eliminates requirements that animals testing positive be branded with a
hot iron and tagged with a metal number reactor tag. It requires that the testing
procedures and the control and disposition of any reactors conform to one of the
following:
1. for cattle, bison, swine, or Cervidae, the USDA Uniform Methods and Rules
for Brucellosis Eradication for the respective species;
2. for other livestock, the procedures, methods, testing, and disposition that
the state veterinarian determines; or
3. the most recent USDA approved and published procedures for brucellosis
procedures for testing and the control and disposition of brucellosis-positive
livestock.
As under prior law, the act also specifies that the state is not liable for any
damage incurred or alleged to have been incurred by any testing performed under
these provisions.
§ 11 — SALE OF MILK
Under prior law, no one could offer milk for sale in the state unless it was
produced from herds that comply with state laws on tuberculosis and brucellosis.
The act specifies that no one may offer milk for sale in the state unless it is produced
from herds complying with the act’s tuberculosis and brucellosis testing
requirements (§§ 4 & 10, described above).
For new milk producers wanting to register with DoAg, the act also requires
that if the herd or any animal in the herd does not have a current negative
tuberculosis and brucellosis test result, the herd must test negative before the
commissioner may issue the milk producer registration. DoAg employees may do
the testing. The act requires that DoAg then surveillance test each registered milk
producing herd for tuberculosis and brucellosis at a frequency the state veterinarian
sets.
§ 12 — BRUCELLOSIS VACCINATION
By law, bovine (e.g., cattle and bison) owners may have their female calves
vaccinated against brucellosis at their own expense and at ages set out in the USDA
Uniform Methods and Rules for Brucellosis Eradication. The act eliminates prior
law’s requirement that the DoAg commissioner establish the ages by regulation. O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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The act requires a licensed accredited veterinarian to perform the vaccinations,
rather than an approved licensed veterinarian, an approved federal or state full-time
employed veterinarian that the DoAg commissioner assigns and authorizes, or a
livestock inspector that the commissioner employs and authorizes, as under prior
law.
§ 13 — IMPORTING LIVESTOCK
Importation Permit and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
Prior law generally required neat cattle and goats brought into the state to be
accompanied by a permit from the DoAg commissioner.
The act instead requires all livestock brought into the state to be accompanied
by a livestock importation permit obtained from the DoAg commissioner as well as
a certificate of veterinary inspection signed by an accredited veterinarian. A
livestock importation permit expires 15 days after its issuance, while a certificate
of veterinary inspection is valid for 30 days after its issuance.
Under the act, a certificate of veterinary inspection must include the following:
1. examination date;
2. the livestock’s point of origin and destination;
3. the consignor’s and consignee’s names and mailing addresses;
4. the official identification of the age, sex, breed, and species for each animal
represented on the certificate;
5. results of all health tests required by Connecticut law; and
6. a statement verifying that the livestock (a) were inspected and are free from
clinical signs of any contagious, infectious, or communicable diseases and
(b) do not originate from an area of quarantine, infestation, or infection.
The act also requires the veterinarian issuing the certificate to verify, at the time
of examination, that each animal represented on the certificate has identification
tags or other form of identification.
Under the act, within 48 hours after imported livestock arrive at their destination
in the state, the livestock’s owner must (1) complete and return the importation
permit to the commissioner and (2) report the number of each species imported.
The owner must include with these a copy of the certificate of veterinary inspection
that accompanied the livestock into the state.
As under prior law, the commissioner may refuse to issue an importation permit
to anyone who violates any statutes or regulations on importing livestock. The act
requires the commissioner, when refusing to issue or revoking an importation
permit, to notify the importer of the violations and corrections needed. After
making the corrections, the act allows the person to reapply for a permit.
Importing for Immediate Slaughter
Prior law exempted neat cattle and goats brought into the state for immediate
slaughter at federally inspected premises from the permit requirement as long as
they were accompanied by a bill of sale or certificate of assignment. It also required O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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the slaughter facility’s owner to report weekly to the DoAg commissioner on the
number of animals imported for slaughter.
The act exempts certain livestock that are brought into the state from the
importation permit and certificate of veterinary inspection requirement. This
exemption applies to livestock that are brought to (1) federally inspected premises
for immediate slaughter, (2) a slaughter facility approved by the commissioner, or
(3) a licensed livestock commission sales stable authorized by the USDA and state
veterinarian. The exemption applies as long as the livestock are accompanied by an
owner-shipper statement that includes the following:
1. the consignor’s and consignee’s names and addresses;
2. the livestock’s point of origin and destination;
3. the date of entry into the state;
4. a statement that the livestock are consigned for immediate slaughter;
5. a listing of each animal’s official identification, including age, sex, breed,
and species; and
6. the shipper’s signature certifying the animals are imported for slaughter
only.
Importing for Exhibition or Competition Purposes
Under the act, anyone transporting livestock or equines into the state for
exhibition or competition purposes may obtain an exhibition permit from the DoAg
commissioner before entering the state. Animals listed in the exhibition permit and
on the certificate of veterinary inspection are exempt from requiring a new
certificate of veterinary inspection every 30 days for the duration of the exhibition
permit. An exhibition permit expires six months after its issuance.
For the duration of the exhibition permit, the act requires that all tests required
under state law to qualify for importation be listed on the certificate of veterinary
inspection and kept current.
§ 14 — REFUSAL TO PERMIT IMPORTATION
Prior law allowed the DoAg commissioner to refuse to grant import permits for
neat cattle and goats from any area infected with a contagious disease. It also
allowed him to revoke any permit for animals that, in his opinion, were infected.
The act expands his right to refuse to issue or to revoke a permit to livestock
generally.
The act also requires all livestock entering the state to be identified by official
identification, rather than ear tags, registration name or number, tattoo, or other
markings approved by the commissioner as under prior law.
§§ 15-20 & 23 — IMPORTATION REQUIREM ENTS BY SPECIES
Livestock Generally (§ 15)
The act prohibits anyone from importing livestock into the state if it is (1) under O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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quarantine due to the presence, or suspected presence, of an infectious or
contagious disease or (2) infected with, or has been exposed to, any infectious or
contagious disease.
The act also prohibits anyone from importing livestock into the state unless an
importation permit is obtained as the act requires (§ 13, described above) and each
animal is accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection from an accredited
veterinarian certifying that the animals were inspected, are not showing signs of
disease, and were tested in accordance with state law.
The act exempts from the permit and certificate requirements any livestock
imported for slaughter at a facility under a USDA grant of inspection or approved
by the DoAg commissioner, as long as the livestock come with the owner-shipper
statement the act requires (§ 13, described above). The act prohibits any livestock
brought into the state for slaughter to be sold or transferred live to anyone.
Cattle and Bison (§ 16)
The act requires that all cattle or bison imported into the state come with an
importation permit as the act requires (§ 13, described above) and a certificate of
veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days before
importation. The certificate must include the dates and results of any required tests,
each animal’s official identification, and a certification that the cattle or bison meet
the following requirements:
1. they originated from a herd that was negative to a whole herd tuberculin test
performed within 12 months before importation and each animal was
included in the whole herd test or tested negative to a tuberculosis test
performed within 60 days of importation and
2. for bulls and non-brucellosis vaccinated female cattle at least six months
old, and for official calfhood vaccinates (i.e., those vaccinated when they
were calves) at least 18 months old, that they tested negative to an official
brucellosis test performed within 30 days before importation.
The act exempts from brucellosis testing spayed heifers and steer that are
imported as feeder cattle (i.e., for eventual slaughter). It also prohibits cattle and
bison from being imported into the state if they were vaccinated (1) as adults or (2)
when they were more than 359 days of age with diluted brucella abortus vaccine.
Sheep (§ 17)
The act requires that any sheep imported into the state come with an importation
permit as the act requires (§ 13, described above) and a certificate of veterinary
inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days before importation.
The certificate must include the dates and results of any required tests, each
animal’s official identification, and a certification that the sheep listed on the
certificate were not exposed to scrapie.
Goats (§ 18)
O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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The act requires that any goat imported into the state come with an importation
permit as the act requires (§ 13, described above) and a certificate of veterinary
inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days before importation.
The certificate must include the dates and results of any required tests, each
animal’s official identification, and a certification that the goats listed were not
exposed to scrapie. Each goat also must meet the following requirements:
1. they originated from a herd that was negative to a whole herd tuberculin test
performed within 12 months before importation and they each were
included in the test;
2. if more than three months old, that they tested negative to a tuberculosis test
performed within 60 days before importation; and
3. if more than three months old, that they tested negative to a brucellosis test
performed within 30 days before importation.
The act allows a kid goat under three months old to be imported on its dam’s
(female parent’s) test chart if the dam tested negative for brucellosis within 12
months before importation and a copy of that test result is given to the
commissioner. The act exempts a wether (i.e., castrated male goat) from brucellosis
testing.
Camelids (§ 19)
The act requires that any camelid (e.g., camels, llamas, alpacas) imported into
the state come with an importation permit as the act requires (§ 13, described above)
and a certificate of veterinary inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within
30 days before importation. The certificate must include the dates and results of
any required tests and each animal’s official identification. Each camelid also must
meet the following requirements:
1. that they tested negative for tuberculosis using an axillary tuberculin test
within 60 days before importation and
2. if at least six months old, that they tested negative for brucellosis within 30
days before importation.
Cervidae (§ 20)
The act requires that any Cervidae imported into the state come with an
importation or exhibition permit as the act requires (§ 13, described above) and a
certificate of veterinary inspection that verifies compliance with CGS § 26-57a and
any related regulations. Among other things, CGS § 26-57a sets requirements for
imported reindeer, including testing negative for tuberculosis and brucellosis within
30 days before importation and coming from a herd that participated in a chronic
wasting disease monitoring program.
Swine (§ 23)
The act requires that any swine imported into the state come with an importation
permit as the act requires (§ 13, described above) and a certificate of veterinary O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days before importation.
The certificate must include the dates and results of any required tests, each
animal’s official identification, and a certification that the swine came from a herd
that was validated brucellosis free and qualified pseudorabies free. The certificate
must also include the following:
1. the number and date of the last whole herd negative brucellosis test that
included the swine being imported, or each swine over three months old
must test negative for brucellosis within 30 days before importation, and
2. the number and date of the last whole herd negative pseudorabies test that
included the swine being imported, or each swine must test negative for
pseudorabies within 30 days before importation.
The act exempts barrows (i.e., castrated male swine) from brucellosis testing.
§ 22 — DISPERSAL SALE OF LIVESTOCK
Prior law required a herd owner, auctioneer, cattle dealer, or sales manager who
wanted to sell a herd (i.e., dispersal sale) or more than 10 head as a group to give
the DoAg commissioner a list of the animals to be sold within 14 days before the
sale, unless the commissioner waived this requirement as an undue hardship. Also,
no one could conduct a dispersal sale without the commissioner’s approval. The act
applies these requirements to livestock dealers, instead of cattle dealers, and
eliminates the commissioner’s ability to waive the list requirement.
Under prior law, the commissioner could require the herd to be tested for
tuberculosis, brucellosis, or both before a sale. The act instead allows the state
veterinarian to require the herd to be tested for any diseases as she determines
necessary. The herd’s owner must pay for any required tests. If the herd tests
negative, the commissioner must give permission for the sale.
Prior law imposed a fine of up to $100 on anyone who violated these sale
provisions. The act eliminates this specific penalty; thus the statutory general
penalty applies instead (see § 25 below).
§ 23 — REQUIREMENTS FOR BREEDING SWINE
The act requires anyone who breeds swine to have all breeding swine tested for
brucellosis and pseudorabies by an accredited veterinarian, USDA- or DoAg-
employed veterinarian, or a DoAg employee under the state veterinarian’s
supervision. The animals’ owner must help restrain the animals during the testing.
The act specifies that the state is not liable for any damages incurred or alleged
to have incurred from the testing. Also, it requires that the (1) brucellosis testing
comply with the act’s provisions (§ 10, described above) and (2) pseudorabies
testing procedures and control and disposition of positive swine conform to USDA
Pseudorabies Eradication Program standards.
§ 25 — PENALTIES
The act changes the general penalty for (1) violating the livestock statutes and O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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related regulations or (2) obstructing the DoAg commissioner or his agents when
performing their official duties. The general penalty applies when specific penalties
are not otherwise provided. Under the general penalty, a violator is subject to a
$250 fine for a first violation and a class D misdemeanor for a second (and,
presumably, each subsequent) violation. (Under prior law, the general penalty was
a class D misdemeanor (see Table on Penalties).)
The act also imposes a penalty for misleading or attempting to mislead the
commissioner by removing or altering a livestock’s official identification or
falsifying a certificate of veterinary inspection. A violator is subject to a $250 fine
for a first violation and a class D misdemeanor for a second or subsequent violation.
§ 26 — NOTIFIABLE OR REPORTABLE DISEASE REPORTING
The act requires laboratories and veterinarians that test livestock or poultry to
notify the state veterinarian about any positive test results for notifiable or
reportable diseases. A notification must be made (1) within 24 hours after getting
the test results and (2) as the DoAg commissioner prescribes. (By law, the state
veterinarian must provide a list of reportable diseases annually (CGS § 22-26f).)
Under the act, anyone who violates this requirement is subject to an
administrative civil penalty of up to $500 for a first violation and up to $1,000 for
a second or subsequent violation.
§ 27 — COMMISSION SALES STABLES
By law, those who sell livestock at public auctions (i.e., commission sales stable
licensees) must abide by certain statutory requirements. Under prior law, dairy and
breeding animals coming from outside the state for auction had to arrive with a
health certificate from their state of origin and a DoAg-issued importation permit.
The act allows, as an alternative, the animals to be examined by a licensed
accredited veterinarian who will issue interstate health certificates at the licensee’s
expense.
§ 28 — INSPECTIONS OF LOCAL DOG KENNELS
PA 23-17 (§ 3) requires municipal and regional ACOs to inspect local dog
kennels annually and upon receipt of a complaint. The act allows, rather than
requires, the ACOs to do these inspections beginning July 1, 2023.
§ 29 — REPEALED STATUTES
The act repeals the following sections of the general statutes, the contents of
which are mostly incorporated in other sections of the act:
1. CGS § 22-284, on handling outbreaks of the contagious disease anthrax or
charbon;
2. CGS § 22-304, on controlling disease in imported cattle;
3. CGS § 22-318, on importing feeder cattle; O L R P U B L I C A C T S U M M A R Y
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4. CGS § 22-318b, on allowing DoAg, upon a herd owner’s request, to issue
interstate health charts for a fee for livestock to be sold (the act does not
incorporate this provision);
5. CGS §§ 22-291 to -293, on tuberculosis-free accredited herds and livestock
sale and purchase reports; and
6. CGS §§ 22-310 to -313, on requirements for certain cattle and goats.
BACKGROUND
Related Act
PA 23-184 (§ 12) prohibits owners and keepers of livestock from allowing their
livestock to roam at large and makes a violation an infraction.