Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 250 - Department of Environmental Management › Chapter 40 - Agriculture and Resource Marketing › Subchapter 05 - Animal Health › Part 5 - Rules and Regulations Governing Livestock Welfare › Section 250-RICR-40-05-5.8 - Specific Requirements

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Disabled
				  livestock: The following standards apply to disabled and non ambulatory
				  livestock.
1. Feed and water. Ambulatory
				  disabled, non-ambulatory disabled or distressed livestock must have appropriate
				  access to water and feed. Water must be offered to non-ambulatory disabled
				  livestock at intervals not to exceed 8 hours. If an animal has been
				  non-ambulatory for 24 hours feed must be offered at that time and at intervals
				  not to exceed 12 hours.
2.
				  Management
a. The responsible party for
				  ambulatory disabled, non-ambulatory disabled, or distressed livestock, as
				  required by the condition of the animal must provide appropriate protection
				  from other livestock, predators and adverse weather conditions.
b. Handling and moving of ambulatory
				  disabled, non-ambulatory disabled or distressed livestock must be done in a
				  humane manner.
3. Health
a. Ambulatory disabled livestock must be:
(1) Monitored for needed treatment and pain
				  management when necessary and that treatment must be promptly provided to
				  minimize unnecessary pain or suffering; or,
(2) Transported for treatment or sale;
				  or,
(3) Transported directly to an
				  inspected slaughter plant or a state custom exempt slaughter plant;
				  or,
(4) Slaughtered on the farm
				  using an acceptable method of euthanasia; or,
(5) Euthanized using an acceptable method of
				  euthanasia.
b.
				  Non-ambulatory disabled livestock must be:
(1)
				  Cared for and provided feed and water; and,
(2) Provided necessary treatment and pain
				  management when necessary; or,
(3)
				  Transported for treatment; or,
(4)
				  Slaughtered on the farm using an acceptable method of euthanasia; or,
(5) Except for cattle, transported to an
				  inspected slaughter plant or a state custom exempt slaughter plant;
				  or,
(6) Euthanized using an
				  acceptable method of euthanasia if the animal is in distress and the condition
				  is irreversible.
c. If
				  ambulatory disabled, non-ambulatory disabled, or distressed livestock are at a
				  non-terminal market or a collection facility, and there is no option for
				  immediate sale, then one or more of the following actions must be taken:
(1) Fatigued swine may be allowed to rest up
				  to two hours to recover and may receive cooling or other treatments that do not
				  leave any drug residues. Swine that do not recover within two hours are
				  considered non-ambulatory disabled livestock, and must be euthanized.
(2) Calves that are unable to rise from a
				  recumbent position and walk because they are tired or cold may be held for
				  treatment. A calf that is unable to rise or has been provided an intervention
				  treatment and is still not able to rise is considered non-ambulatory disabled
				  livestock and must euthanized.
(3)
				  Cattle that become non-ambulatory disabled during transport must be euthanized
				  or provided appropriate veterinary care and pain management.
d. The responsible party,
				  excluding third party transporters, must maintain records of treatments,
				  medications and withdrawal times for ambulatory disabled, non-ambulatory
				  disabled and distressed livestock.
e. Livestock observed to be emaciated
				  following documented intervention strategies of additional care, additional
				  feed resources, or treatment without observable improvement in body condition
				  must be:
(1) Marketed through appropriate
				  channels;
(2) Transported directly
				  to an inspected slaughter plant or a state custom exempt slaughter
				  plant;
(3) Slaughtered by using an
				  acceptable method of euthanasia;
(4) Euthanized using an acceptable
				  method.
f.
				  Transportation. Non-ambulatory disabled livestock must not be loaded for
				  transport to a non-terminal market or a collection
				  facility.