Slaughterhouse Laws in Florida

USDA-FSIS describes this as a “duty exemption” and can be done in two ways: owners of an animal (1) slaughter the animal themselves or (2) deliver it to a duty-exempt slaughterhouse for slaughter and processing. Meat and by-products cannot be sold, and products can only be consumed by the owner`s household and non-paying guests and staff. In both cases, professional liability insurance is recommended. 4. A veterinarian approved in the State to practise the profession shall be exempt from criminal or civil liability for decisions or services rendered in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Such a veterinarian is therefore protected, under this subsection, from a request to participate in an investigation into cruelty to animals. Why this case matters: These operations endanger public health and safety by selling illegally slaughtered animals, including horses, for human consumption and violating anti-cruelty laws. (6) The governing body of a county or municipality may require a mandatory appearance in court for certain serious violations of a local ordinance resulting in the unprovoked bite, attack or injury of a pet; violations resulting in the destruction or loss of personal property; second or subsequent violations of local animal cruelty laws; or violations that result in a third or subsequent citation being granted to a person. The summons must clearly inform the person of the mandatory appearance in court. The governing body of the county or municipality keeps records to prove the number of summonses issued to the person. Persons who have to appear in court do not have the option of paying the fine instead of appearing in court. (1) Any county, society or association for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals organized under the laws of that State may appoint commissioners to investigate violations of any provision of this chapter or any other Act of the State for the protection or prevention of cruelty to children and animals.

There is no federal law regulating how farm animals are raised, and most state cruelty laws exempt standard farm practices. In addition, any FDACS-approved facility wishing to process game (mainly deer or feral pigs) or animals slaughtered on the farm must also have a HACCP (www.foodprotect.org/issues/packets/2010Packet/attachments/III_019_a.pdf) plan. This is associated with rule 5K-4.0050. The application, which must accompany your completed HACCP plan, can be found under forms.freshfromflorida.com/14095.pdf. “Obviously, law enforcement is limited by laws, as is the ARM, and you know that what the ARM sometimes brings to the Miami-Dade Police Department cannot be used as evidence because of a set of rules and regulations that restrict what they can do,” she said. “I absolutely think there are ways to do that, and I think that end needs to be achieved as soon as possible.” The Animal Legal Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit to close four black market slaughterhouses outside Fort Myers, Florida. MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Local 10 News investigates allegations of cruel and unhygienic illegal slaughterhouses in South Florida and the challenges of shutting them down or holding anyone accountable. Who is being prosecuted, why and under what law? The accused allegedly operated four slaughterhouses in Fort Myers, Florida. They will be prosecuted under the Florida Humane Slaughter Act, state animal cruelty laws, and state public and private harassment laws. (4) (a) Euthanasia shall be performed only by a licensed veterinarian or an employee or representative of an institution, shelter or other public or private facility operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned or unwanted animals, provided that the employee or representative has successfully completed a 16-hour euthanasia technician certification course.

The syllabus of such a course must be approved by the Council of Veterinary Medicine and must include at least pharmacology, proper administration and storage of euthanasia solutions; federal and state laws governing the storage and liability of euthanasia solutions; stress management of euthanasia technicians; and proper disposal of euthanized animals. An employee or mandatary who performed euthanasia before October 1, 1993 must be notified not later than October 1, 1993. He obtained his certification in October 1994. An employee or agent who commits euthanasia on or after October 1, 1993 must obtain certification before performing euthanasia. However, a certified veterinary technician who is an employee or agent within the meaning of the subsection may perform euthanasia without having completed the certification course prescribed in this subsection. Euthanasia must be carried out humanely and competently. The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) website provides guidelines for facilities and equipment for Federal Inspection (www.ncagr.gov/MeatPoultry/pdf/Facility%20Guidelines.pdf). 11. A prominent statement that, if the person is required to appear before the court under subsection 6, he or she does not have the opportunity to pay a fine instead of appearing in court.

(d) expert opinions on Community standards for appropriate and appropriate care of the same species. CREDIT(S) Added by Laws 2000, c. 2000-194, § 2, eff. 5 June 2000. Amended by Law 2001, c. 2001-64, § 25, eff. 3 July 2001. 10.

This Division shall not prohibit, interfere or interfere in any way with recognized breeding and training techniques or practices that are not expressly prohibited by law. (h) any other evidence that the court considers essential or relevant. CREDIT(S) Laws 1901, c. 4971, § 10; Gen.St.1906, § 3156; Rev.Gen.St.1920, § 4982; Comp.Gen.Laws 1927, § 7071; Statutes of 1986, c. 86-179, § 2. You, the breeder, can either deliver the animal for them or put them in touch with a local livestock transport company that can do so for a fee. (16) A pet dealer shall not knowingly misrepresent the breed, sex or health of a dog or cat offered for sale in the State. Commissioner Cohen Higgins said there was one change she had already set in motion: moving the police farm unit from the hammock area deeper into southwest Miami-Dade, the remote area they are often tasked with.

(a) confiscates or confines an animal anywhere and fails to provide the animal with a sufficient quantity of safe, quality food and water during that housing. There`s a lot of interest in locally produced food, but federal, state, and local regulations can be confusing. The purpose of this document is to be a “one-stop shop” for Florida residents who wish to sell meat and poultry from their own livestock and poultry. (b) A zoo, aquarium, circus, rodeo or legal animal competition; or (3) A law enforcement officer who, in accordance with section 828.27, or a representative of a county, society or association for the prevention of cruelty to animals, who cares for an animal under this section, shall be notified in writing to the owner of the animal, if known and resident in the county to which the animal was moved, at least 3 days before the hearing under paragraph 2: if known and domiciled. in accordance with Chapter 48 on Service of Proceedings. The county sheriff may not charge a fee for the delivery of such notice. (3) Applicability: Nothing in this section limits or extends the immunity provided for in section 768.13 for the care or treatment of a vulnerable person or pet. These products must be manufactured entirely under USDA FSIS inspection. Products with an approved test legend and label are not subject to any restrictions on where they can be marketed in Canada. 1. The purpose of this Division is to provide a means by which an animal is neglected or abused.

2. The prohibitions provided for in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1 shall not apply to animals temporarily coloured by agricultural organisms for the protection of health. (3) Every person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a first-degree offence punishable under section 775.082 or section 775.083. On a second or subsequent conviction for violation of this subsection, the perpetrator commits a third-degree felony punishable under sections 775.082, 775.083 or 775.084. (5) If there is no animal shelter or other place, the court may order that the animal be seized from the property of its owner and order that person to provide all necessary care for the animal and to allow regular inspections of the animal by a person designated by the court. Establishments defined as “small businesses” do not need to have nutrition labelling. A small business is a single plant or a business with multiple plants that employs 500 people or fewer and produces no more than 100,000 pounds of product per year.