Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 69 - AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND ANIMALS (§§ 69-1-1 — 69-55-9) › Chapter 29 - LIVESTOCK BRANDS, THEFT OR LOSS OF LIVESTOCK AND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 69-29-1 — 69-29-315) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 69-29-1 — 69-29-15) › Section 69-29-2 - License requirement of persons who transfer or sell certain animals for research

(1)
Every person, firm, association or corporation, before seeking to sell or transfer dogs or cats, or both, for research, shall obtain a license from the Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau. The fee and requirements for such license shall be set by the Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau. Application for such license shall be made on forms prescribed and furnished by the director. Such license shall be nontransferable, renewable annually. A new license shall be issued if there is any change in the location or ownership of the business.
(2)
At the time application is made for a license under subsection (1) of this section and before the issuance of such license by the Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau, the applicant shall file with the director a bond in the penal sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) payable to the State of Mississippi with surety to be approved by the Secretary of State for the faithful performance of the requirements of this section. Evidence shall be supplied to the director annually, at the time license is renewed, that the bond continues in force and effect. In the event the bond is cancelled or will not be renewed, the bonding company shall notify the director in writing at least thirty (30) days before the cancellation of such bond. If a bond is cancelled or fails to be renewed, the license issued under this section shall stand void automatically. The license shall not stand void if a new bond as required herein is filed with the director before the expiration date of the original bond.
(3)
The following information shall be recorded by every person, firm, association or corporation licensed under this section for each dog or cat received, sold or transferred under the provisions of this section:
(a)
The name, address and telephone number of the person, firm, association or corporation from whom each dog or cat was received and to whom each dog or cat was delivered.
(b)
A complete description of each dog or cat received, sold or transferred, including a photograph of each side of the animal.
(c)
Any other information as required by the Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau.
(4)
The Director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section.
(5)
Any person violating the provisions of this section, upon conviction for a first violation, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both. Any person violating the provisions of this section, upon conviction for a second or subsequent violation, shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for not less than one (1) year or a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both. Any person who holds a license issued under this section who is convicted of any violation of this section, shall have his license revoked for a minimum of one (1) year.
Laws, 1994, ch. 605, § 1, eff. 7/1/1994.