Any animal that due to age, injury, metabolic or systemic disease, etc. is unable to raise itself without assistance to a standing and walking state, as defined by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association.
Disabled animals can be the result of accidents, medical complications or poor genetics.
Reducing the risks on the farm, in transit and at salesyards is an important step in preventing disabling injuries. Crippled and non-ambulatory animals represent a very small percentage of the total livestock handled, but due to size or other complicating matters, moving them humanely is difficult. The emphasis should be on preventing non-ambulatory and disabled livestock. When they do occur, they must be handled promptly and humanely. Non-ambulatory and disabled animals are an economic burden to the producer, the transporter and the processor.