Livestock Care Standards Year 2 Population Block 2

When were the livestock care standards created?

• November 2009 when state issue 2 was passed

• established the Ohio Livestock care standards board

Details of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board

• 13 members

• meets multiple times a year

• housed at ODA

• independent board but ODA administers

• rule making board

Ohio revised code vs Ohio administrative code

• ORC

  • laws from state legislature

• OAC

  • rules from state agencies

Ohio Revised Code definitions

• ohio livestock care standards board created

Ohio Revised Code factors to be considered in adopting rules

• administration and enforcement of this chapter

• prohibited acts

• Ohio Livestock Care Standards Fund

• authority not to apply to county humane societies or county officials

• authority does not apply to food processing production activity

• board not to create statewide animal identification system

Rules established by Ohio Administrative Code

• euthanasia

• civil penalties

• general considerations

• ambulatory disabled, non-ambulatory disabled or distressed livestock

• veal

• dairy cattle

• beef cattle

• swine

• poultry layers, broilers, and breeders

• turkey and turkey breeders

• sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas

• equine species

Factors considered for the board

• best management practices for care and well-being of livestock

• biosecurity

• prevention of disease

• animal morbidity and mortality data

• food safety practices

• protection of local, affordable food supplies for consumers

• generally accepted veterinary medical practices, livestock practice standards, and ethical standards established by AVMA

• any other factors considered necessary for proper care and well-being of livestock in this state

How are livestock care standards meant to be used?

meant to be practical for livestock producers of all sizes, scales, and production methods

What are the goals for livestock care standards?

• assure better livestock care, but support state’s overarching goals of promoting safe and affordable food

• help to prevent outbreaks of animal and human diseases

Who has the responsibility of fulfilling livestock care standards?

falls on person who owns or has responsibility or custody of the animals

Exemptions to the livestock care standards

• animals used in agriculture, biological, or biomedical research or confined in research or medical facilities that operate in accordance with federation of animal science societies or national academy of sciences

• food processing production activity that is regulated by department of agriculture under title IX of revised code

How do live stock care standards differ from other animal agencies (humane society, animal control officer, local law enforcement, and dog wardens)?

• OLCS are not humane agency

• model industry best practices

• no humane authority

• no criminal penalties

• no arrest authority

What penalties do livestock care standards have?

civil penalties (fines)

How are livestock care standards different from animal cruelty laws?

separate and enforced independently (ODA enforces LCS and local law enforcement enforces animal cruelty laws)

cruelty definition

• cruelty, torment, and torture include every act, omission, or neglect by which unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, permitted, or allowed to continue, when there is a reasonable remedy or relief

• unintentional vs intentional vs cruel intent

humane definition

care and handling of livestock that seeks to minimize distress through utilization of standards established by this chapter

How does an investigation get started?

• complaint driven program

• ODA-AH receives phone call or email (photos can be helpful)

• validated

• VMO is assigned based on lcoation/territory

What happens after VMO assigned to case?

• make visit unannounced

• leave note/contact card if no one available

• take photos from road/driveway

What happens if VMO goes to property and meets with owner?

• introduce self and explain why there

• explain process

• ask questions to gather info and create m=picture of situation

• ask to be walked around, take pictures

• be transparent on regulations, provide copy

• fill out appropriate paperwork

• schedule follow-up if needed

• if no cooperation, may need to involve enforcement

• be safe!

body condition definition

• ranges from emaciated to obese

• useful to assess adequacy of nutritional program and health status of an animal by evaluating animal’s body fat and/or muscle mass in relationship to its skeletal dimension and stage of production

• gives animals condition an objective measurement

minor violations

actions that violate code that occur due to neglect or unintentional acts of substandard practices that do not place animals life in peril, cause protracted disfigurement, cause protracted impairment of health, or cause protracted loss or impairment of function of limb or bodily organ

minor violation fines

• up to $500 first offense

• up to $1000 subsequent within 60 months of previous violation

major violations

• actions that violate code which place an animal’s life in imminent peril, cause protracted disfigurement, cause protracted impairment of health, or cause protracted loss or impairment of function of limb or bodily organ

• violates that occur due to reckless or intentional acts which result in unjustifiable infliction of pain

major violation fines

• $1000-$5000 first offense

• $5000-$10000 subsequent within 60 months