Section 250-RICR-40-05-5.7 - General RequirementsA. The general requirements for the care and welfare of all types of livestock as well as specific types of livestock as listed below. The general requirements are as follows:1. Feed and water. Livestock must receive feed and water of sufficient quantity and quality on a regular basis so as to help ensure maintenance of normal body condition and/or growth.2. Management a. Livestock housing, handling facilities and equipment must be designed and maintained so as to minimize bruising, escape and injury.b. When using handling, sorting or other devices to move livestock or for initial diagnostic evaluation, the devices must be used humanely. Use of such devices must be restricted to the minimal amount of use to move the livestock and they must be used in a manner to minimize pain and excitement of the animal(s), and must not cause injury to the animal(s).c. When restraint of livestock is required, it must be minimal in degree and duration, and it must minimize the potential for injury.d. Only hand held battery-operated electric prods of 50 volts or less can be used to facilitate movement of livestock as described in § 5.7(A)(2)(b) of this Part. Electric prods must not be used: (2) On alpacas, llamas and equine, unless by or under the order of a Rhode Island licensed veterinarian;(3) On calves less than 200 pounds of body weight;(4) On swine less than 35 pounds of body weight;(5) In sensitive areas including the eyes, ears, nose, vulva, anus, udder, or testicles; and,(6) On non-ambulatory disabled livestock, unless by or under the order of a Rhode Island licensed veterinarian.e. The responsible party shall not maliciously or recklessly throw, drop, or drag livestock. If the animal's position does not permit lifting or another method of movement, dragging an ambulatory disabled or non-ambulatory disabled livestock the minimum distance to allow movement by another method is permitted.f. The responsible party must not pick up and/or carry livestock by the ears and tails or pull legs in positions or directions which would cause distress.g. Livestock Management Procedures must be performed humanely.h. Environmental management must be conducted to control parasite infestations and reasonably minimize insect and vermin infestations.i. All housing systems must provide reasonable protection from predators to reduce injury and mortality to livestock and poultry.j. All housing systems must provide sufficient dry space for all animals to be able to stand to avoid prolonged exposure to water, mud or manure.3. Euthanasia. Euthanasia of livestock must be performed under the conditions and using the approved methods as described in the most current published version of AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals.a. Euthanasia for animals must be performed when the likelihood for recovery is poor and the condition cannot be effectively relieved by best species management and medically appropriate procedures. Upon making the decision to euthanize an animal, euthanasia must be performed promptly to minimize the unnecessary pain and suffering of the animal.b. Disposal of animals after confirmation of death must be performed in accordance with all applicable state and municipal codes.4. Mass Euthanasia or Depopulation. For unusual conditions which require euthanasia of populations, such as wide spread disease eradication and exigent circumstances resulting from natural disasters, the Director of the Department of Environmental Management may authorize methods of euthanasia or depopulation that are not described in the most current published version of AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals. Any person seeking to use alternate methods of euthanasia or depopulation must receive prior written approval by the Director of the Department of Environmental Management. The alternate methods must minimize animal pain and suffering to the extent reasonably possible while considering the threat to human health, human safety, and the hazards of failing to promptly euthanize or depopulate affected animals.5. Healtha. Prescription and extra-label medications must only be obtained and administered to livestock with the advice and involvement of a licensed veterinarian in the context of a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient-Relationship (VCPR).b. When medication is indicated for livestock, label instructions for route of administration, dosage, storage and withdrawal times must be followed.c. Routine use of commercially available USDA licensed vaccines, and commercially available anthelmintics are considered normal husbandry practices under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-25-7(b)(9).d. All practices and procedures pertaining to health/medical treatment of livestock must be done humanely.e. Livestock must be monitored regularly for evidence of disease, injury, and parasites and corrective measures must be taken when evidence is found.f. The responsible party must be able to, as required by the condition of the animal, separate sick animals from healthy livestock.g. Dead livestock must be properly disposed of in accordance with all local ordinances, state and federal regulations.6. Transportation a. The transport driver becomes the responsible party during transit.b. The responsible party makes the final decision in determining the fitness for livestock loading, transport and the load density. The density of a load shall be determined by the need to minimize injury and must allow fallen animals to rise.c. Handling of livestock during loading, unloading and transport must be done humanely.d. Ramps, chutes and other means of conveyance used for transporting livestock must be constructed to provide adequate footing to minimize slips, falls and escapes.e. Livestock must be able to stand in their natural position without touching the top of the transport conveyance.f. During transit, livestock must be suitably protected from adverse weather conditions.g. Transporters are required to stop every 28 hours, unload, and provide livestock with food, water and rest for at least five consecutive hours, unless the transportation vehicle allows the livestock to lie down and rest and have access to feed and water.250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-40-05-5.7
Amended effective 1/19/2023