(a) Any equine imported into the state, except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, shall have an official interstate health certificate and an official equine infectious anemia test certificate which states that such equine has been officially tested prior to being imported into the state and found to be negative to equine infectious anemia within a period not exceeding twelve months prior to the date of entry. Such certificates shall include the name and address of the owner, trainer or person responsible for the equine; the name and registration number of the equine, if any; and the age, breed, sex, color and positive identifying marks or scars of the equine, including a complete description of such marks or scars.

(b) If an equine does not have the equine infectious anemia certificate required by subsection (a) of this section or if the State Veterinarian or his agent determines that such a certificate does not properly or accurately describe an equine, the State Veterinarian or his agent may require the equine to be held at an area approved by him and retested at the expense of the owner or be removed from the state.

(c) Any equine which does not have an official equine anemia test certificate may be shipped into the state for immediate slaughter in accordance with section 22-272a. Any equine which tested positive to equine infectious anemia on an official test may be shipped into the state for research purposes or immediate slaughter in accordance with said section after first obtaining a special permit from the State Veterinarian.

(d) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars for each violation. Any equine which does not have a valid interstate health certificate shall be immediately quarantined and the State Veterinarian shall order whatever tests necessary to determine the health of such equine. All costs associated with any such quarantine as well as any tests conducted shall be paid by the owner of such equine.

(P.A. 88-151, S. 3, 11; P.A. 93-22; P.A. 96-24, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 93-22 added Subsec. (d) imposing penalty for violation of this section and additional criteria for quarantine of equines; P.A. 96-24 amended Subsec. (a) to modify preimportation testing requirements re equine infectious anemia.