The department of agriculture shall require inspection, tests, and treatments necessary to prevent the spread of diseases of all animals sold or transferred from pens, yards, premises, or vehicles by small dealers, dealers, or brokers except when such animals are immediately delivered to a slaughtering establishment. The inspection, tests, and treatments shall be made by a veterinary inspector approved by the department and shall be made and reported as prescribed by the department. The fees for that service shall be paid by the small dealer, dealer, or broker. This section shall not apply to a person operating a slaughtering establishment at which antemortem veterinary inspection is regularly maintained.

The director of agriculture, without a prior hearing, may revoke the approval of a veterinary inspector. A person to whom an order of revocation is issued shall be afforded a hearing in accordance with sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code.

Animals sold through a livestock auction market shall be accompanied by a release as may be prescribed by the department and issued by the small dealer, dealer, or broker. The release shall state the date, number and kind of animals moved, point of origin, and buyer.

Animals sold for slaughter may be identified by an ear tag, a livestock paint brand, or other prescribed identification, whenever the department finds such identification necessary.

Operators of livestock auction markets shall furnish and maintain cattle chutes suitable for restraining animals for careful inspection and shall provide suitable laboratory space for the veterinary inspector. All swine pens shall be paved and maintained so that they can be cleaned and disinfected. All diseased animals shall be segregated by species and held in designated pens constructed to facilitate cleaning and disinfecting.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 7/17/2009.

Effective Date: 01-01-1973