95.31 Condemnation of diseased animals.

(1) The department may condemn animals that are affected with or exposed to a contagious or infectious disease if the department determines that it is necessary to do so to prevent or control the spread of the disease. Condemned animals shall be slaughtered or destroyed as directed by the department.

(2) If the department determines that it is necessary to condemn an animal under sub. (1), the department shall, in all cases where the payment of indemnities is authorized under this chapter, appraise the animal as provided in s. 95.32 and shall notify the owner in writing of the appraised value. The notice shall include the number and description of the animals and the name of the owner.

(3) In addition to the indemnities for specific animal diseases provided under ss. 95.25, 95.26 and 95.27 or under special emergency programs and subject to s. 95.36, the department shall pay indemnities on livestock condemned and slaughtered or destroyed because of other diseases if the department determines that the condemnation and slaughter or destruction is necessary to protect public health or the livestock industry. The indemnity under this subsection shall be two-thirds of the difference between net salvage value and appraised value, but may not exceed $1,500 for an animal, except as provided in sub. (3m). As used in this subsection, “livestock" means animals of species raised primarily to produce food for human consumption, including farm-raised deer.

(3m) If the department condemns an animal because the animal is suspected to have a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and the owner disposes of the carcass as directed by the department, the department shall increase the amount of the indemnity calculated under sub. (3) or s. 95.23 (1m) (b) by the costs of the destruction of the animal and of the disposal, transportation, and any necessary storage of the animal's carcass. An indemnity paid because of the condemnation of an animal to which this subsection applies may exceed $1,500.

(4) In the event of a major or serious outbreak of a contagious or infectious disease that may affect public health or the health of animals and that requires special control measures, the department may request the joint committee on finance to release funds appropriated under s. 20.115 (2) (b) as needed to conduct emergency control programs independently or in cooperation with federal or local units of government and, subject to s. 95.36, to pay indemnities on animals of species raised primarily to produce food for human consumption, including farm-raised deer, condemned and slaughtered or destroyed under the emergency control programs. For all indemnities paid under this subsection, the state shall pay two-thirds of the difference between the net salvage value and the appraised value of an animal, except that no payment may exceed $1,500 for an animal.

History: 1977 c. 146; 1977 c. 449 s. 497; 1981 c. 20; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 269; 1995 a. 79, 450; 2001 a. 56; 2005 a. 25.