Livestock and Poultry Care
Indiana's Animal Care Laws - Frequently Asked Questions
Livestock and Poultry Care Law
Reporting Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect of animals is against Indiana state law. However, enforcement of that law falls to the jurisdiction of local enforcement agencies. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health has no enforcement powers in these situations. BOAH only reports on abuse and neglect cases when contacted by local authorities to assist with a situaion.
You need to contact your local animal control agency, if your city/county has one (many do not). Often, animal control is part of the sheriff's department.
If that is unsuccessful, you should contact your local police/sheriff department. This is not always successful, as law enforcement agencies are tasked with many duties and must set priorities. You may need to contact a local, elected city/county official for assistance or guidance.
Currently, pet shops, boarding kennels and similar businesses are not licensed/regulated specifically by the state of Indiana.
Some local communities/counties may have regulations that apply. Your best bet is to contact your local government (city and/or county) clerk's office for guidance. Many communities have zoning requirements or sanitation standards through the local health department.
Livestock Care in Markets
In January 1998, the Board of Animal Health revised the rules regulating livestock dealers and markets. A new section in the rule addresses the care and handling of livestock at markets in Indiana.
Care and Handling
Every person licensed to operate a market facility (including livestock auction markets, stockyards and concentration points) in Indiana must maintain a minimum standard of care for animals in that facility.Livestock housed at a market for more than 24 hours must have access to feed and water.
Use of implements, such as electric prods, canes, whips, paddles or canvas straps, to drive animals must be limited only to the extent reasonably necessary to handle or drive livestock .
Nonambulatory Animals
Occasionally, because of illness or injury, individual animals arrive at a market conscious, but unable to walk or stand without assistance.
State law prohibits markets from accepting delivery of these nonambulatory (or "downed") livestock. However, market facilities in Indiana may unload the nonambulatory livestock for the purpose of euthanizing the animal.
Markets must have written policies, procedures and equipment in place to handle animals that become nonambulatory after delivery to the facility.
By law, livestock that becomes nonambulatory after arriving at a market facility must be disposed of within 24 hours of discovery or receiving of notice of the animal's condition.
More information about handling techniques for nonambulatory animals and a livestock handling guide can be obtained from the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, 13570 Meadowgrass Drive, Suite 201, Colorado Springs, CO 80921, or online at animalagriculture.org. Another resource is Temple Grandin's Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide.
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