Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024
Section 001-703-1 - Attending Veterinarian and Adequate Veterinary Care(a) Each dealer or exhibitor shall have an attending veterinarian who shall provide adequate veterinary care to its elephants in compliance with this section. (1) Each dealer and exhibitor shall employ an attending veterinarian under formal arrangements. In the case of a part-time attending veterinarian or consultant arrangements, the formal arrangements shall include a written program of veterinary care and regularly scheduled visits to the premises of the dealer or exhibitor; and(2) Each dealer and exhibitor shall assure that the attending veterinarian has appropriate authority to ensure the provision of adequate veterinary care and to oversee the adequacy of other aspects of elephant care and use.(b) Each dealer or exhibitor shall establish and maintain programs of adequate veterinary care that include: (1) The availability of appropriate facilities, personnel, equipment, and services to comply with the provisions of this subchapter;(2) The use of appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries, and the availability of emergency, weekend, and holiday care;(3) Daily observation of all elephants to assess their health and well-being; provided, however, that daily observation of elephants may be accomplished by someone other than the attending veterinarian; and provided, further, that a mechanism of direct and frequent communication is required so that timely and accurate information on problems of elephant health, behavior, and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarian;(4) Adequate guidance to personnel involved in the care and use of elephants regarding handling, immobilization, anesthesia, analgesia, tranquilization, and euthanasia; and(5) Adequate pre-procedural and post-procedural care in accordance with established veterinary medical and nursing procedures.01-001 C.M.R. ch. 703, § 1