W. Va. Code R. § 61-34-12

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 61-34-12 - Escape of cervids

12.1. A licensee shall make every effort to prevent escapes of animals from the captive cervid facility. A licensee shall report all known escapes within eight (8) hours or upon discovery of the escape, whichever is sooner, to the state veterinarian or West Virginia Department of Agriculture Animal Health Division personnel.

12.2. Any captive cervid that escapes from a captive cervid facility shall be dispatched by the Department or DNR personnel, unless after review by the Commissioner of Agriculture and the West Virginia State Veterinarian it is determined that the escaped captive cervid, after being secured and returned to the premise from which it escaped, does not present a health risk to the public, other captive cervids or wildlife: Provided, That all escaped cervids that are sourced from a known, confirmed TB and CWD containment area will be dispatched.

12.3. Appropriate samples shall be collected and submitted for CWD and other transmissible diseases.

12.4. All costs for depopulating an animal that escapes, including sample collection and testing, are the responsibility of the licensee.

12.5. A licensee shall not intentionally release captive cervids into the wild.

W. Va. Code R. § 61-34-12