Chapter 8.08
CATTLE DISEASE

Sections:

8.08.010    Definitions.

8.08.020    Affected animals – Removal – Retesting.

8.08.030    Health certificate required for animals entering county.

8.08.040    Violation – Penalties.

8.08.010 Definitions.

Unless the context indicates otherwise, words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:

A. “Brucellosis test” means that certain blood serum test for agglutinins against brucella abortus, made in a laboratory approved by the Washington State Department of Agriculture or United States Bureau of Animal Industry.

B. “Hardship case” means any case in which the imposition of controls generally specified in this chapter will cause an undue or extreme loss by way of property or income to any herd owner or person having control of said herd; provided, that public welfare, health and safety is not endangered by such relaxation of control.

C. “Herd” means one or more head of bovine animals commonly kept under separate control within marked boundaries.

D. “Reactor” means any animal which is found positive to the brucellosis test, and so classified by the Division of Dairy and Livestock of the State Department of Agriculture and the Animal Disease Eradication Branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. (Prior code § 3.12.010).

8.08.020 Affected animals – Removal – Retesting.

A. After February 1, 1955, any animals in a herd found to react to the brucellosis test shall be removed from the premises of the owner or person having control within 15 days after receipt of notice to such person from the district health officer or the State Department of Agriculture, giving notice in writing to such person that the said animal, describing said animal, has reacted positive to the brucellosis test.

B. The remaining animals in such herd shall be retested not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days within the date of the first test given animal or said herd.

C. A series of retests, with removal and slaughter of reacting animals, shall be continued until the herd shall have passed two successive negative tests, each test being given within the intervals mentioned in subsection B of this section, until no reactors are further found. If upon a final test, not less than six months nor more than seven months from the date of the last negative test of the said two tests, no reactors are found in the herd, the herd shall be deemed to be brucellosis-free. (Prior code § 3.12.020).

8.08.030 Health certificate required for animals entering county.

The movement of any and all bovine animals into Whatcom County must be accompanied by a health certificate showing such animals to be free of brucellosis. This certificate must have been issued not more than 15 days prior to the movement of such animals into this county. This certificate must be issued by an accredited licensed graduate veterinarian or inspector who is approved by the livestock sanitary official of the state of origin or a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Bureau of Animal Industry. (Prior code § 3.12.030).

8.08.040 Violation – Penalties.

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $100.00, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 30 days, or both. Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter for each day and for each separate animal so infected shall be deemed separate and independent offenses. (Prior code § 3.12.040).