Section 359-A. Transportation of horses  


Latest version.
  • 1. Every vehicle utilized for the
      transportation  of  more  than  six  horses  shall  meet  the  following
      requirements:
        a.   The   interiors   of  compartments  containing  horses  shall  be
      constructed  of  smooth  materials,  containing  no  sharp  objects   or
      protrusions which are hazardous;
        b.  The  floors shall be of such construction or covered with abrasive
      material so as to prevent horses from skidding or sliding;
        c. There shall be sufficient apertures to insure adequate ventilation;
        d. There shall be sufficient insulation or coverings  to  maintain  an
      adequate temperature in the compartment containing horses;
        e.  Partitions of sturdy construction shall be placed a maximum of ten
      feet apart in vehicles which do not have stalls;
        f. Doorways shall be of sufficient height to allow  safe  ingress  and
      egress of each horse contained in the compartment;
        g. Each compartment containing horses shall be of such height so as to
      allow  sufficient  clearance above the poll and withers of each horse in
      the compartment;
        h. Ramps sufficient for loading and unloading horses shall be provided
      if the vertical distance from the floor of  the  compartment  containing
      horses to the ground is greater than fifteen inches; and
        i.  There shall be at least two doorways for ingress and egress, which
      shall not be on the same side.
        2. Every vehicle utilized for the  transportation  of  more  than  six
      horses over a highway shall have no more than one tier.
        3.  a.  Transporting  a  horse in violation of this section shall be a
      violation punishable by a fine  of  not  more  than  two  hundred  fifty
      dollars.
        b.  Any  subsequent  violation  of  this section on a date following a
      conviction under the provisions of this section shall be  a  misdemeanor
      punishable  by  a  fine  of  not  more  than  one  thousand  dollars  or
      imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
        4. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations,  including
      size  specifications,  and  establish  guidelines in order to facilitate
      compliance with the provisions of this section.
        5. a. The term "horse" as used throughout this section shall apply  to
      the entire family of equidae.
        b.  The  term "vehicle" as used throughout this section shall apply to
      every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or  may  be
      transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power
      or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
        6.  The  court  in  which  a  conviction  under the provisions of this
      section is obtained, shall,  within  thirty  days  of  such  conviction,
      transmit  a  copy  of  the  record of conviction to the department which
      shall  maintain  a  record  of  such  conviction  for  the  purpose   of
      identifying subsequent violations of this section.