Section 906.1 - Safe and Humane Handling and Transportation of Fallow Deer to Custom Livestock Slaughter Establishments(a) The following are general provisions for the safe and humane handling and transportation of fallow deer: (1) Deer shall be handled humanely and quietly, with care and patience.(2) Persons handling or transporting deer shall be knowledgeable about deer behavior and welfare and shall comply with these regulations.(3) It is recommended but not required that groups of deer intended for shipment be allowed to establish social relationships before loading.(4) It is recommended but not required that transportation of deer be by the most direct and appropriate route from point of origin to final destination and be completed without delay.(5) All rooms, compartments, alleyways, ramps, chutes and doors used for transporting, moving, and holding deer shall be free from dangerous projections, such as nails and bolts, and sharp edges that might cause pain and/or injury.(6) All rooms, pens, compartments, alleyways, ramps, chutes and doors used for transporting, moving, and holding deer shall be constructed in a way that prevents deer from jumping out of the area.(7) All rooms, vehicle compartments, pens, alleyways, ramps and chutes used for transporting, moving, and holding deer shall have secure footing and shall be properly drained.(8) If deer are held longer than one hour, clean bedding material shall be provided in deer areas in transportation vehicles and in holding pens. Deer held in excess of 24 hours shall be provided new or additional clean bedding.(9) There shall be no gaps between floors and walls, ramps and vehicles, gates and walls or other such objects which would probably result in injury to deer.(10) Downers (deer unable to stand even with assistance) shall not be brought onto a custom livestock slaughter establishment premises, unless they became disabled during transport to the establishment. In that case, they shall be immediately stunned on the vehicle and removed from the vehicle and bled prior to regaining consciousness.(b) Loading Equipment. All ramps, chutes, doors, and gates used for loading and unloading deer shall be constructed and maintained in a manner that prevents injury or suffering.(1) Doors and gates shall be sufficiently wide to permit deer to pass through readily, without bruising or injury.(2) The bottom edge of drop gates shall be padded.(c) Transportation Vehicles. Vehicles used to transport deer shall permit easy loading and unloading and shall provide for the safety of deer and personnel during loading, transport and unloading. (1) Vehicles shall be constructed in a manner that prevents injury to deer, including ensuring that no deer limbs or heads can project from the vehicle.(2) Vehicles shall have doors that close firmly and securely.(3) Vehicles shall be constructed to provide deer with adequate ventilation at all times, while avoiding drafts. Care shall be taken to minimize entry of vehicle exhaust into areas containing deer.(4) If deer are kept in the transport vehicle for greater than one hour, sufficient floor space to allow all animals to lie down comfortably at the same time shall be provided.(5) Deer shall be loaded only into vehicles that are clean.(6) Deer shall be protected from extremes of temperature during transport.(d) Water and Feed. Deer shall be fed and watered before loading for transport. For trips longer than 12 hours, feed and water shall be provided every four hours. Holding pens shall provide deer with access to clean water at all times and with feed if they are held in excess of 12 hours.(e) Unloading. Deer shall be unloaded as soon as it is reasonable and practical to do so upon arrival at the custom livestock slaughter establishment, but not later than 12 hours after arrival.(f) Humane Handling at Custom Livestock Slaughter Establishments. Operators of all custom livestock slaughter establishments are responsible for humane handling of deer on the plant premises. (1) Sufficient pens shall be provided to prevent overcrowding, to permit necessary segregation of animals, and to enable all animals to lie down at the same time.(2) Deer pens shall be segregated from those holding other species of food animals.(3) Holding facilities shall protect deer adequately from the elements.(4) Holding pens shall be adequately ventilated to minimize stress to animals and to prevent excessive accumulation of odors and condensation.(5) Deer that are sick, injured, or disabled shall immediately be separated from healthy animals.(6) Objects that might cause pain and/or injury, such as sticks, boards, canes, or electric prods, shall not be used on deer. However, a staff or similar object may be used judiciously to assist in guiding deer or for safety when handling larger or aggressive deer.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 3, § 906.1
1. Renumbering and amendment of former sections 950, 951, 952, 953, 954 and 955 to new section 906.1 filed 5-31-2007; operative 6-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 22). Note: Authority cited: Sections 18960 and 18963, Food and Agricultural Code. Reference: Section 18963, Food and Agricultural Code.
1. Renumbering and amendment of former sections 950, 951, 952, 953, 954 and 955 to new section 906.1 filed 5-31-2007; operative 6-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 22).