ODA Animal Health and Identification Division Livestock Transportation Handbook

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Introduction

Table of Contents

Questions

This online version is provided for people who have questions about livestock transportationrequirements. For more information contact the Livestock Identification Division (503-986-4681) or call your localBrand Inspector.

Introduction

Oregon Livestock Transportation Handbook Introduction (This text is page 1 of handbook)Livestock Identification requirements have been mandated through the Oregon Legislature by theLivestock Industry in an effort to deter theft. 1. How do livestock stops and Livestock Transportation Report writing aid in theft enforcement andprevention? The thief is most vulnerable when transporting stolen cattle on a public thoroughfare. 2. Chapters 596, 599, 603, 604, and 607 of the Oregon Revised Statutes give the Oregon Departmentof Agriculture the responsibility of protecting the livestock industry from health-related problems as wellas preventing theft of livestock. 3. Detection and enforcement of Oregon Revised Statutes sections enacted to protect the livestockindustry can be evidenced from the paperwork required to accompany the load. 4. Violations consist of misdemeanors and felonies. 5. Local Brand Supervisors and Brand Inspectors are available to assist in your investigations and toassist in finding facilities to provide the care for animals in the event of a seizure. 6. This handbook was compiled for use as a field reference guide.

Table of Contents

Oregon Livestock Transportation Handbook Table of Contents (Click links below to to go these pages) (This is page 3of the handbook)

Requirements for Transportation (pdf file) Pages 4 & 9

Livestock Transportation Forms (pdf file) Pages 10-13

Reading Brands (pdf file) Pages 14 & 15

Department

ODA Animal Health and Identification Division Livestock Transportation Handbook

http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/AHID/livestock_id/trans_handbook_index.shtml[9/28/2010 2:27:10 PM]

Horse Markings (pdf file) Page 16

Dairy Cattle (pdf file) Page 17

Beef Cattle (pdf file) Pages 18 & 19

Common Horse Colors (pdf file) Pages 20 & 21

Guidelines for Emergency Euthanasia of Cattle or Horses (pdf file) Pages 22 & 23

Page updated: April 09, 2009

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4

Requirements for Transportation of Livestock

Cattle — For Identification Purposes

Brand Inspection Certificate, Saleyard Outbilling, or Transportation Certificate. See

“Documents Required for Transportation” section of this handbook.

Cattle — For Health Purposes

If originating from another state, a Health Certificate or Pasture Permit.

Horses — For Identification Purposes

No documents needed for travel within the state.

Horses — For Health Purposes

If originating from another state, a Health Certificate or 6 month Passport.

Brand Inspection Required Prior to Entering State

A Brand Inspection Certificate should accompany all loads from states requiring a brand

inspection.

Health Inspection Certificates may be required for some loads entering Oregon. This

certificate, when required, will identify loads from non-brand inspection states.

National Uniform Tag Code (prefix number) appears on all Animal Health related forms,

eartags, and backtags.

NationalUniform Tag

Code #

State BrandInspect ion

?Albert a Yes

64 Alabama

96 Alaska

86 Arizona Yes

71 Arkansas

Brit ishColumbia

Yes

93 California Yes

84 Colorado Yes

16 Connect icut50 Delaware

58 Florida

57 Georgia95 Hawaii

82 Idaho Yes

33 Illinois

32 Indiana

42 Iowa48 Kansas Upon

Request61 Kent ucky

72 Louisiana11 Maine

51 Maryland

14 Massachuset t s34 Michigan

41 Minnesota

65 Mississippi

NationalUniform Tag

Code #

State BrandInspect ion

?43 Missouri

81 Mont ana Yes47 Nebraska Yes

88 Nevada Yes

12 New Hampshire

22 New Jersey85 New Mexico Yes

21 New York

55 Nor th Carolina

45 Nor th Dakota Yes31 Ohio

73 Oklahoma

92 Oregon Yes

23 Pennsylvania15 Rhode Island

Saskat chewan Yes

56 Sout h Carolina46 Sout h Dakot a Yes

63 Tennessee

74 Texas

87 Utah Yes13 Vermont

52 Virginia

91 Washington Yes

54 Wes t Virginia35 Wisconsin

83 Wyoming Yes

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Completing the Livestock Transportation Report

6

Violations/Citable Offenses for Livestock

The following statutes are enforceable by all law enforcement officers.

Livestock Transportation and Brand Use Violations

ORS 604.061 Transportation certificate.

(1) Cattle transported from the premises of the owner or person in lawful possession to

another place in this state shall be accompanied by a Transportation Certificate.

ORS 604.071 Brand inspection and transportation violations.

(1) Purchase, sell, handle or transport hides or livestock in violation of ORS 604.005 to

604.071, 604.640, 604.650 and 604.670 or the administrative rules promulgated

thereunder;

(2) While marking livestock on the ear, either cut, mark or remove more than one-half of the

ear;

(3) Except for the normal sheepshearing process, cut, burn or otherwise obliterate or

disfigure the brand, earmark, dewlap or other distinguishing characteristics upon hides or

livestock;

(4) Purchase, sell or hold for sale any hides or livestock in the condition described in

subsection (3) of this section;

(5) As a custom slaughterer, fail to identify livestock hides and the persons from whom they

were obtained;

(6) Use a recorded brand or similar design on livestock unless the person is the current

recorded holder thereof, or use a brand recorded in another state, except in accordance

with rules adopted by the State Department of Agriculture;

(7) Transport livestock out of this state without a brand inspection certificate having been

issued to the person presenting the livestock for transport, or fail to have a document

identifying each load of livestock as a part of the livestock described on the brand

inspection certificate accompanying each load, or fail to deliver the brand inspection

certificate to the livestock consignee upon reaching the intended destination;

(8) Refuse to permit the department to inspect hides or livestock, or refuse to permit hides or

livestock to be sheared or otherwise handled so as to enable the department to determine

the brands thereon; or

(9) Knowingly make or issue any false, misleading or incomplete certificate, affidavit,

application, proof of claim, document of title or other written instrument required or

allowed under the provisions of ORS 604.005 to 604.071, 604.640, 604.650 and 604.670.

[1981 c.248 s.14; 1987 c.164 s.1]

ORS 604.992 Penalties.

(1) Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or the administrative rules or orders

promulgated thereunder, is a Class B misdemeanor.

(2) Notwithstanding ORS 14.030 to 14.080, an action for violation of brand inspection

requirements may be commenced and tried in either the county where the livestock

movement originated or the county where the livestock movement terminated. [1967

c.129 s.18; 1981 c.248 s.15]

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Livestock at Large

Livestock districts.

Oregon Revised Chapter 607 defines:

• “Livestock District” as an area wherein it is unlawful for livestock or a class of livestock

to run at large.

• “Open Range” as an area wherein livestock may lawfully be permitted to run at large.

• “Livestock” as animals of the bovine species, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats and

swine. Swine raised as companion animals (i.e., pot bellied pigs) are excluded.

Open and closed range areas for each county are filed with the County Clerk, with copies sent

to the Department of Agriculture.

ORS 607.045 Livestock at large in livestock districts.

(1) No person owning or having the custody, possession or control of an animal of a class of

livestock shall permit the animal to run at large or to be herded, pastured or to go upon

the land of another in a livestock district in which it is unlawful for such class of

livestock to be permitted to run at large.

(2) This section is not intended to prohibit a person from driving livestock along a public

road.

(3) Justice and circuit courts have concurrent jurisdiction of actions for the prosecution of

violations of this section. [Amended by 1957 c.604 s.16]

ORS 607.261 Male stock running at large on open range.

(1) No person shall turn upon, or allow to run upon, the open range, any bull other than a

purebred bull of a recognized beef breed. The State Department of Agriculture shall by

regulation define, “purebred bull of a recognized beef breed.” No person shall turn upon,

or allow to run upon, the open range, any female breeding cattle unless the person turns

out with such female breeding cattle one purebred bull of a recognized beef breed for

every 25 females or fraction thereof of 10 or over.

(2) No owner of any stallion or jackass, of the age of 18 months or more, shall permit it to

run upon the open range during the period April 1 to October 31 of each year. No owner

of any ram shall permit it to run at large upon the open range during the period July 1 to

October 31 of each year. [1957 c.604 s.18]

ORS 607.311 Taking up estray prohibited without giving notice.

(1) A person who finds an estray upon the premises of the person or premises of which the

person has lawful possession or control may take up the estray.

(2) No person shall knowingly take up or retain possession, custody or control of an estray

without giving the notice required by ORS 607.313. [1953 c.367 s.9; 1975 c.65 s.3]

ORS 607.365 Driving domestic animals from range.

(1) No person, who is not the owner of such animal, shall take or drive, cause to be taken or

driven, or assist in driving or taking away any horse, gelding, mare, foal, mule, ass, jenny,

bull, cow, heifer, steer, calf, sheep, hog or any other domestic animal from the range or

place where it is lawfully grazing, pasturing or ranging, or in the habit of ranging, or

where it has been herded or placed by the owner thereof, for a distance of more than 10

miles from such place.

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(2) Persons violating this section shall be liable to the owner of such animal for all damages

sustained by reason of such driving or taking away of such domestic animal.

(3) All fines collected for violations of this section shall be paid over to the county treasurer

of the county in which the offense was committed, and used for the support of common

schools within such county. [Formerly 606.210]

ORS 607.992 Penalties. Violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor. [1967

c.113 s.3 (enacted in lieu of 607.990)]

Theft of Livestock Animals

ORS 164.055 Theft in the first degree.

(1) A person commits the crime of theft in the first degree if, by other than extortion, the

person commits theft as defined in ORS 164.015 and:

(e) The subject of the theft is a livestock animal, a companion animal or a wild animal

removed from habitat or born of a wild animal removed from habitat, pursuant to ORS

497.308 (2) (c).

(2) (d) “Livestock animal” means a ratite, psittacine, horse, gelding, mare, stallion, colt,

mule, ass, jenny, bull, steer, cow, calf, goat, sheep, lamb, llama, pig or hog.

ORS 164 Penalties Theft in the first degree is a Class C felony. [1971 c.743 s.125; 1973

c.405 s.1; 1983 c.740 s.32; 1987 c.907 s.4; 1991 c.837 s.9; 1993 c.252 s.5; 1993 c.680 s.20]

Unauthorized Use of a Livestock Animal

ORS 167.385 Unauthorized use of livestock animal.

(1) A person commits the crime of unauthorized use of a livestock animal when the person

knowingly:

(a) Takes, appropriates, obtains or withholds a livestock animal from the owner thereof or

derives benefit from a livestock animal without the consent of the owner of the animal; or

(b) Takes or holds a livestock animal and thereby obtains the use of the animal to breed,

bear or raise offspring without the consent of the owner of the animal.

(2) Except as otherwise provided by law, offspring born to a female livestock animal or

hatched from the egg of a female livestock animal belong to the owner of the female

livestock animal until the owner transfers ownership of the offspring.

(3) As used in this section, livestock animal‚ has the same meaning given that term in ORS

164.055.

ORS 167 Penalties Unauthorized use of a livestock animal is a Class A misdemeanor. In

addition to any criminal sanctions, if a defendant is convicted of the crime of unauthorized

use of a livestock animal under this section, the court shall order the defendant to pay

restitution to the owner of the animal. [1993 c.252 s.1]

9

Documents Required for Transportation

All transportation of cattle must have paperwork or documents to accompany the load. They

may include one or more of the following:

1. Brand Inspection Certificate (numbered form, starting with a “C”) Good for eight days.

2. Supplemental Brand Inspection Certificate (numbered by brand inspector using master

brand inspection certificate number) Good for as long as stated.

3. Memorandum Brand Inspection Certificate (numbered form) completed by brand

inspector at point-of-origin inspection, typically issued at a public sale.

4. Self Inspection Form also known as “E” slip (numbered form)—a state issued form

completed by the owner or agent for the change of ownership of one head of cattle within

the state.

5. Saleyard Outbilling (press numbered or computer generated statement number)—issued

at the saleyard and may be stamped (in red) by the brand inspector.

6. Annual Cattle Certificate (numbered form) completed by brand inspector at point-of-

origin inspection.

7. Special Feedlot Shipment Certificate (numbered form) signed by brand inspector at

point-of-origin.

8. Custom Slaughterer’s Report (completed by owner/agent). Slaughtered animal being

removed from owner's premises for additional processing or hide being transported to a

central location for inspection by a brand inspector.

9. Transportation Certificate (completed by owner/agent). A Transportation Certificate is a

state approved form and is usually completed by the owner or agent for the shipment. It is

required at times when cattle are being transported on a public road within the state of

Oregon only, unless they have an inspection form. Pursuant to ORS 604.061, the form

shall be used and contains all of the following:

• The name and address of the buyer or consignee (or both, when used as a bill of sale

to be followed by an inspection within 48 hours).

• The name and address of the owner or consignor, or both.

• The date of transport.

• The loading point.

• The destination.

• The number and description of the animals including their brands, if any.

• The name of the transporter or carrier and the license number of the vehicle used to

transport the animals.

• The signature of the owner or his authorized agent.

No Transportation Certificate is needed for Oregon horses to travel within the state. It is

recommended all owners carry proof of ownership when travelling. Out of state horses may have

a brand inspection document.

10. Annual Horse Inspection (numbered form) completed by brand inspector at point-of-

origin inspection, when horse leaves the state.

11. Lifetime Horse Certificate. A yellow or blue laminated card that is valid for intrastate

travel as long as the same person owns the animal.

12. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or “Health Certificate” (numbered form).

Cattle and horses entering Oregon from a state with or without a brand inspection

program may be accompanied by a “Health Certificate” completed by licensed

veterinarian. See list of states requiring brand inspection.

13. Horse Passport - 6 mo. C.V.I. Health purposes only, not proof of ownership. Brand

inspection may still be required.

10

Livestock Transportation Forms

3. Memorandum Brand Inspection 4. Self Inspection Form for cattle only,not for out of state shipment

2. Supplemental BrandInspection Certificate

1. Brand Inspection Certificate

11

5. Saleyard Outbilling 6. Annual Cattle Certificate

8. Custom Slaughterer’s Report7. Special Feedlot Shipment Certificate

12

9. Oregon Transportation Certificate

11. Lifetime Horse Certificate10. Annual Horse Inspection

(Can be blue or yellow)

13

12. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

13. Horse Passport — 6 mo. C.V.I.

14

Reading Brands

Brands are read from left to right, top to bottom and outside to inside.

Examples

Left to Right Top to Bottom Outside to Inside

O—C ©O bar C O bar C stacked

Letter O, sidebar, letter C Letter O over a bar over letter C Letter O with letter C inside

Brands are classified as letters, numbers, characters, or a combination of all three. The same

brand may acquire different names, depending on who is viewing it.

Ownership brands are not mandatory, but if used, must be registered with the

Oregon Department of Agriculture.

Earmarks

R L R L R L R L R L

Steeple Fork Crop Swallow Fork Overslope Shoe String

Over bit Split Under Half Crop Underslope Jingle Bob

Under Bit Crop Split Over Half Crop Under Seven Illegal Earmark

Earmarks may be used in any combination of the above.

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LH = left hip

RH = right hip

LST = left stifle horse

RST = right stifle horse

LSH = left shoulder horse

RSH = right shoulder horse

LJ = left jaw

RJ = right jaw

Description Term Abbreviation

Mature Female Mare M

Mature Male Stud Stud

Castrated Male Gelding Geld, G

Immature Female Filly

Immature Male Colt

Either sex, Under 1 year of age Foal

Cattle Brand Locations & Terminology

Brands will be written with the brand first, followed by the location the brand is applied to the animal.

Horse Brand Locations & Terminology

LSH = left shoulder

RSH = right shoulder

LN = left neck

RN = right neck

LH = left hip

RH = right hip

LR = left ribs

RR = right ribs

Description Term Abbreviation

Mature Female Cow C

Mature Male Bull B

Castrated Male Steer Str, S

Immature Female Heifer Hfr, H

Either sex, Under 1 year of age Calf Clf, Cf

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star, strip & snipconnected

star, strip & snip star & large strip& snip connected

bald face with sorrelspot on forehead

star, strip & snipconnected

Coronet

Any narrowmarking aroundthe coronet abovethe hoof.

Pastern

A marking whichincludes theentire pastern.

Boot

A marking whichextends from thecoronet andincludes the ankle

Sock

A marking whichextends around theleg from the coronethalf way up thecannon bone orhalfway to the kneeof the foreleg orhalfway to the hockon the back leg.

Stocking

A full markingalmost to theknee on theforeleg andalmost to thehock on the hindleg. It is anextended sock.

Horse Markings

Face Markings

star star, snip elongated star & snip blaze bald

Foot Markings

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Dairy Cattle

Described by Breed (usually) Not by color

Ayrshire Abbr: AyrRed and WhiteCow Abbr: C

Holstein Abbr: HolBlack and WhiteCow Abbr: C

Guernsey Abbr: Guer, GuernLight Red and WhiteCow Abbr: C

Brown Swiss Abbr: B. SwissBrown to GreyCow Abbr: C

Jersey Abbr: JerFawn or TanCow Abbr: C

Dutch Belt Abbr: D. BeltBlack with White beltCow Abbr: C

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Beef Cattle

Described by color and sometimes by Breed(especially purebred)“X” used with any color/breed description refers to“crossbred,” for example “Red x bred.”

Whiteface Abbr: WFRed with White FaceCow and Calf (a.k.a. Pair) Abbr: C and Clf

Black Whiteface(a.k.a. Black Baldy) Abbr: BWFBlack with White FaceHeifer Abbr: Hfr or H

Black Abbr: Blk or BCow Abbr: C

Red Abbr: Red or RSteer Abbr: Str or S

Yellow Abbr: YelHeifer Abbr: Hfr or H

Black Brockleface(a.k.a. Black Mottleface)

Abbr: Bl Broc, B BrocHeifer Abbr: Hfr or H

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Red Brockleface(a.k.a. Red Mottleface)

Abbr: R Broc, R BrocHeifer Abbr: Hfr or H

Mouse or Smoke Brockleface(a.k.a. smokey Mottleface)

Abbr: None, BrocHeifer Abbr: Hfr or H

Red Roan Abbr: R Roan, R RnNote: There are also Blue RoanCow Abbr: C

White Abbr: WtSteer Abbr: Str or S

Longhorn Abbr: L. Horn(Can be any color or combination)Cow Abbr: C

Brindle Abbr: Brin

Gray Abbr: NoneBull Abbr: B

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Common Horse Colors

GrayMarkings: right front sock, left & right rear socks (faceunclear).Body color mixture of white with any other colored hairs;often born solid colored or almost solid colored and getlighter with age as more white hairs appear.

AppaloosaMarkings: dark front end with white spots, rear is whitewith dark spots. Star and strip on face. No special whitemarkings on legs.

BuckskinMarkings: fore pasterns white, left hind sock.Body color yellowish or gold; mane and tail black; usuallyblack on lower legs. Buckskins have dorsal stripes (withersto tail).

PalominoMarkings: none.Body color golden yellow; mane and tail white;Palominos do not have dorsal stripes.

BayMarkings: blaze, & socks on all feet.Body color ranging from tan, through red to reddishbrown; mane and tail black; usually black on lower legs(black points).

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Dark ChestnutMarkings: a star, strip and snip & stockings on all hind legs.Body color dark red or brownish-red; mane and tailusually dark red or brownish red, but may be flaxen.

Red DunMarkings: noneBody color yellowish or flesh colored; mane, tail, anddorsal stripe usually are red.

Sorrel or ChestnutMarkings: star, strip and snip, left fore pastern white, righthind stocking, left hind sock.

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Guidelines for the Emergency Euthanasia of Cattle

The following information provided courtesy of California Department of Agriculture.

Introduction

Catastrophic illness and accidents involving livestock can happen at any time. This may require that an animal behumanely destroyed. The purpose of these guidelines is to suggest how that may be done as humanely as possible.It is always best to seek assistance from a veterinarian when considering euthanasia. However, in somecircumstances a veterinarian may not be available. If a veterinarian is not available to assist in the evaluation andeuthanasia of an animal, this responsibility will fall on those present. It will be in the animals’ best interest toprovide a swift and humane death to prevent or minimize suffering. These guidelines are a summary of the current,best known practices for providing a humane death to cattle, in the absence of a veterinarian. Situations that mayrequire emergency euthanasia:• road accident• injuries in transit• injuries in sales yard or at packing plants• severe injuries or disease on the farm• natural or man-made disasters (floods, fires)

Emergency euthanasia should be undertaken when there may be an unacceptable delay in treating the condition,the source of the pain or disease is incurable, or where transportation of the animal would perpetuate orsignificantly aggravate the condition. There may be times when none of these situations is clearly present. If youare in doubt, you should contact a licensed veterinarian. However, if you are isolated from expert assistance, thefollowing are some examples of incurable conditions that indicate euthanasia may be necessary to avoid orterminate incurable or excessive suffering:• violent or self destructive thrashing (is the animal a hazard to itself or others?)• evidence of severe shock• abdominal contents exposed• animals with chronic and incurable conditions• open fracture of a long bone (leg bone below the shoulder or hip)

Penetrating captive bolt gun and gunshot are the only two available methods for emergency euthanasia available tonon-veterinarians. The 1993 Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia classifiesbarbiturate (injectable) euthanasia of ruminants as acceptable and penetrating captive bolt gun, gunshot, andelectrocution as conditionally acceptable. Only veterinarians have access to barbiturates. Regardless of the methodchosen, logistics and verification of death are important considerations.

Euthanasia By Gunshot

This should only be attempted by individuals well trained in firearm safety and who understand the potential forricochet. Great care must be taken to minimize danger to the operator, the people, and/or other animals. Death isby direct destruction of the brain, inducing immediate unconsciousness, and permanent destruction of the cardiacand respiratory centers of the brain. Advantages of a firearm are that it leads to instantaneous death, is inexpensive,and does not require contact with the animal. Confirmation of death should occur as described in the section titled”Confirmation of Death.”

Firearm

A .22 caliber firearm is sufficient for most cattle. At least a .22 magnum or 9 mm round should be used on largebulls. If in doubt, the use of a larger caliber firearm is recommended. The weapon muzzle should be held 2-10inches from the intended point of impact.

Ammunition

The use of a hollow-point or soft nose bullet is recommended to increase tissue destruction and decrease the risk ofthe bullet passing through the skull (ricochet).

Placement and Aim

The bullet’s entry site should be at the intersection of two imaginary lines drawn from the inside corner of the eyeto the point at the top of the opposite ear (or base of the opposite horn). This point is exactly on midline. Bulletentry should be perpendicular (90 degrees) to the skull and aimed down the neck of the animal.

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Logistics

When practical, choose a location where the body can be easily reached by removal equipment. Remember,livestock should be handled so that no unnecessary pain or suffering is imposed prior to euthanasia.

Confirmation of Death

Immediately following the shot the animal should collapse and may experience a period of intense musclecontraction (usually no longer than 20 seconds). This will be followed by a period of relaxation and some poorlycoordinated kicking or paddling movements. The pupils of the eyes should be totally dilated. The animal must bechecked in 5 minutes to ensure death. Absence of rhythmic breathing, heartbeat, and corneal reflex (a blink)confirm death. To check a corneal reflex, touch the animal’s cornea (surface of the eye). There should be noblinking (or eye movement) in response to the touch, if the animal is deceased. The presence of any eye movementor blinking, at this point, should be viewed as evidence of sustained or recovering brain activity and should bedealt with by a repeat shot. Evaluate the placement and aim of your initial shot and adjust as necessary.

Guidelines for the Emergency Euthanasia of Equine

Introduction

In certain emergency situations, there may be a need to euthanize a horse in order to prevent unnecessary pain andsuffering from injuries for which there is no treatment that will save the animals life. In most circumstances, thereis adequate time to call a licensed veterinarian to determine if there is a hopeless prognosis for life and toeuthanize the horse, if necessary. The following guidelines should be used when considering the need to euthanizea horse for humane reasons:

Guidelines for Recommending Euthanasia

The following criteria should be considered in evaluating the immediate necessity for euthanasia of the horse toavoid incurable, excessive, and unnecessary suffering:• Is the condition chronic and incurable? (To be determined only by a licensed veterinarian)• Does the immediate condition carry a hopeless prognosis for life? Examples include, but are not limited to,

open long bone fractures, evisceration with rupture of the bowel, dismemberment.• Is the horse a hazard to itself or its handlers? Examples include, but are not limited to, uncontrollable

struggling/thrashing in traffic or crowded area .• Will the horse require continuous medication for the relief of pain for the remainder of its life? (To be

determined only by a licensed veterinarian)

Euthanasia Procedures• Whenever possible, euthanasia of horses should be performed by a licensed veterinarian working under a

valid veterinarian/client/patient relationship.• The prime consideration in selection of a drug for euthanasia purposes should concern the capacity of that

drug or combination of drugs to produce painless death. Any method or compound used must conform to theguidelines set forth by the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia (1993 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia.Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 202, No. 2, January 15, 1993).

• If euthanasia of a horse by an individual other than a licensed veterinarian becomes necessary during certainemergency circumstances, gunshot is the only practical method of euthanasia.a. The decision to euthanize a horse by an individual other than a licensed veterinarian should only be made

when the criteria for euthanasia, listed previously have been fulfilled. Items 2 and 3 are the only criteriafor euthanasia, which can be determined by anyone other than a licensed veterinarian.

b. It should be performed by highly skilled personnel using a firearm appropriate for the situation. Personnelshould be experienced in the proper and safe use of firearms and must comply with laws and regulationsgoverning their possession and use.

c. Whenever possible, the horse should be properly restrained prior to euthanasia by gunshot. This includesplacement of a halter with appropriate length lead rope attached and any other device which will insure thetarget described below is able to be visualized (e.g.: hobbles).

d. The firearm should be aimed so that the projectile enters the (1) brain, head-on approach; Figure (A), or(2) spinal cord, side approach; Figure (B), thus causing instant unconsciousness. The correct site for thehead on approach is the intersection of lines drawn from the base of the ear to the center of the orbit of theopposite eye (A). The correct site for the side approach is between the base of the ear and the wing of theatlas (B).