A. The owner of exposed animals or reactors shall present the animals for branding or tagging within fifteen (15) days after receiving notice of reaction or exposure. The failure of an owner to comply with the requirements of this subsection shall be deemed a misdemeanor.

B. The removal of any permanent mark or brand, including metal ear tags, from any animal with a reportable disease or those classified as diseased in a herd being depopulated, without prior authorization from the State Veterinarian, shall be deemed a felony.

Added by Laws 1955, HB 505, p. 47, art. 6(E), § 4; Amended by Laws 1967, HB 909, c. 393, § 4, emerg. eff. May 23, 1967; Amended by Laws 1974, SB 527, c. 77, § 1, emerg. eff. April 19, 1974; Amended by Laws 1976, SB 675, c. 107, § 1, emerg. eff. May 12, 1976; Amended by Laws 1979, HB 1187, c. 87, § 2; Amended by Laws 1996, c. 138, § 5, emerg. eff. May 1, 1996; Amended by Laws 1997, HB 1213, c. 133, § 85 (effective date amended to July 1, 1999, by Laws 1998, 1st Extr. Sess., HB 1002, c. 2, §§ 23-26, emerg. eff. June 19, 1998) (superseded document available); Amended by Laws 2000, SB 1424, c. 367, § 40, emerg. eff. June 6, 2000 (superseded document available).