New York Ag & Markets Law

Section 359-a

S 359-a. Transportation of horses.

1. Every vehicle utilized for the transportation of more than six horses shall meet the following requirements:

a. The interiors of compartments containing horses shall be constructed of smooth materials, containing no sharp objects or protrusions which are hazardous;

Interior view of a double deck cattle trailer used by a NY resident to transport horses from PA through NY state. Notice the 3 inch 'I' beams used to support the top deck of the trailer.

b. The floors shall be of such construction or covered with abrasive material so as to prevent horses from skidding or sliding;

c. There shall be sufficient apertures to insure adequate ventilation;

d. There shall be sufficient insulation or coverings to maintain an adequate temperature in the compartment containing horses;

e. Partitions of sturdy construction shall be placed a maximum of ten feet apart in vehicles which do not have stalls;

f. Doorways shall be of sufficient height to allow safe ingress and egress of each horse contained in the compartment;

Side doorway of a double deck cattle trailer used by a NY resident to transport horses from PA through NY state. Does this doorway appear to be of sufficient height for a draft horse to enter and exit through?

g. Each compartment containing horses shall be of such height so as to allow sufficient clearance above the poll and withers of each horse in the compartment;

h. Ramps sufficient for loading and unloading horses shall be provided if the vertical distance from the floor of the compartment containing horses to the ground is greater than fifteen inches; and

i. There shall be at least two doorways for ingress and egress, which shall not be on the same side.

2. Every vehicle utilized for the transportation of more than six horses over a highway shall have no more than one tier.

3. a. Transporting a horse in violation of this section shall be a violation punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars.

b. Any subsequent violation of this section on a date following a conviction under the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

4. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations, including size specifications, and establish guidelines in order to facilitate compliance with the provisions of this section.

5. a. The term "horse" as used throughout this section shall apply to the entire family of equidae.

b. The term "vehicle" as used throughout this section shall apply to every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

6. The court in which a conviction under the provisions of this section is obtained, shall, within thirty days of such conviction, transmit a copy of the record of conviction to the department which shall maintain a record of such conviction for the purpose of identifying subsequent violations of this section.

This is a double deck slatside trailer used to transport horses to slaughter. The truck in the above photo is a brown International cabover with a sleeper.The truck in the photo below is a purple conventional with a sleeper. This IS a double decker cattle and hog trailer, also known as a 'possum belly or'pot'.

The trailer pictured BELOW, is a SINGLE tier trailer.
This is NOT a double decker,"possum belly" or "pot".

This is a single tier trailer used to transport horses to slaughter. The truck is a Western Star conventional with a sleeper. This is NOT a double decker or a "possum belly".

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