§ 1183 -   Disposition of reactors

§ 1183. Disposition of reactors

(a) Any equine animal identified as a reactor through testing as provided in subsections (a) and (b) of section 1182 of this title shall be humanely destroyed within seven days of the second test. The destruction of the animal shall be by an accredited graduate veterinarian, or by any other person if observed by the secretary or an agent of the United States Department of Agriculture.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, a reactor may be transported to an approved slaughterhouse or research facility where authorized by written permission of the secretary. In granting permission, the secretary may specify the conditions under which the animal shall be quarantined, transported and destroyed.

(c) Any person, including an accredited graduate veterinarian, who destroys any equine animal in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall report the destruction of the animal to the secretary within seven days.

(d) As an alternative to the destruction of animals under the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, reactors may be isolated permanently under quarantine from all other equine animals and shall be conspicuously freezebranded with the letters "EIA." In no case shall this action be delayed for more than two weeks. The quarantine shall apply to all equine animals on the premises where the reactor is located, and shall remain in effect until the reactor is destroyed or isolated under quarantine and the remaining equine animals are tested and found to be negative.

(e) The provisions of this section shall be implemented by rule of the secretary. (Added 1987, No. 276 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003.)