CONNECTICUT STATUTES

Sec. 22-415. Inhumane Transportation of Equines

Any person who carries or causes to be carried or has the care of any equine in or attached to any vehicle or otherwise in an unnecessarily cruel or inhumane manner, or in a way and manner which might endanger the equine or knowingly and wilfully authorizes or permits such equine to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind in the transporting of such equine, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars. The Commissioner of Agriculture shall adopt regulations pursuant to chapter 54 pertaining to the transportation of equines upon the highways of Connecticut as deemed necessary to prevent the cruel or inhumane treatment of equines.

(P.A. 75-589, S. 2, 3.) Cited. 218 C. 757, 765.

REGULATIONS OF CONNECTICUT STATE AGENCIES

22-415-1. Definitions

(a) The following terms are defined as follows:

(1) Horse means all members of the equine family.

(2) Vehicle means any machine, tractor, trailer or semitrailer, or any combination thereof propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways in the transportation of property.

(3) Double Deck or Possum Belly means vehicles with two or more levels on which horses can be loaded.

(Effective December 8, 1976)

22-415-2. Prohibitions and Enforcement

(a) No person shall transport horses in any vehicle for more than eighteen (18) hours unless: (1) within such vehicle the horses have enough space and opportunity for rest and are supplied with proper food and drink; or (2) the horses are unloaded for at least five (5) consecutive hours unless prevented by storm or accidental cause. (b) Horses unloaded pursuant to (a) (2) shall be properly fed, watered and sheltered during the time they are unloaded by the owner or person having custody during transportation. (c) Any duly authorized police officer or humane agent may feed, water and shelter horses which are neglected by the owner or person having custody during transportation; such feeding, watering or sheltering shall be at the expense of the owner or person having custody during transportation. (d) The use of double deck or possum belly vehicles to transport horses is strictly prohibited,unless the same is used pursuant to Sec. 22-415-3. (Effective December 8, 1976)

22-415-3. Construction and dimensions of vehicles

Any vehicle for the transportation of equines shall meet the following standards:

(1) The interiors of compartment containing horses are to be of smooth construction with no protruding or sharp objects.

(2) The floors are to be of non-skid construction or a non-skid material is to be placed on the floor. A nonskid floor shall mean:

(a) Non-skid rubber or like material secured to the floor; or

(b) A reasonable amount of abrasive material - these materials shall include but are not limited to sand, clay, sawdust; or

(3) There shall be adequate ventilation in all closed trailers. Any truck having a slatted body shall be deemed to have sufficient ventilation.

(4) Sturdy partitions are to be provided approximately every ten (10) feet inside the vehicle.

(5) Doorways used by horses are to be of adequate height to allow twelve (12) inches above the withers and to allow the largest horse to pass through without injury.

(6) A minimum of twelve (12) inches must be allowed between the withers of the largest horse and the structure above the horse while the horse is in a natural standing position.

(7) If the vertical distance from the trailer to the unloading area is greater than eighteen (18) inches, ramps for loading and unloading are to be provided and are to be constructed such that they provide safe footing for horses.

(Effective December 8, 1976)

22-415-4. Other restrictions

(a) Injured or handicapped horses shall not be loaded in the same compartment with healthy horses.

(b) Ponies or young horses shall not be loaded in the same compartment with larger and mature horses except as provided in (c) below.

(Effective December 8, 1976)

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