40-19-7. Rejection of brands by board--Grounds--Composition of brands--Location on animal as part of brand. The board shall reject any brands formed from any letter, number, or symbol which is a duplicate of, or in conflict with, any brand previously registered for that location on an animal. Any brand approved for registration shall be composed from the combination of no less than two and no more than three letters, numbers, or symbols, except for sheep. Only the following may be accepted for registration:

(1) Letters A to P and R to Z, in the plain gothic style of print;

(2) Arabic numerals from two to nine, inclusive;

(3) Symbols, including diamond, half diamond, arrow, mill iron, heart, box, half box, quarter circle, bar, cross, triangle, or slash;

(4) Character brands that were cancelled by the board for nonrenewal, but only if registered by the person who owned the brand at the time it was cancelled, or if the person is deceased, by the spouse or by the lineal descendants of the person.

Any brand that is similar to any previously registered brand or that in the board's determination could be changed to resemble a previously registered brand may be rejected. Location of a brand on an animal is construed as part of the brand. A variation in the size of a letter, number, or figure does not constitute a new brand and shall be rejected.

Source: SDC 1939, § 40.1209; SL 1951, ch 199, § 2; SL 1984, ch 269, § 5; SL 1988, ch 328, § 25; SL 2006, ch 212, § 1; SL 2007, ch 234, § 1.