2012 Vermont Statutes
Title 13 Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Chapter 8 HUMANE AND PROPER TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
§ 351 Definitions

§ 351. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Animal" means all living sentient creatures, not human beings.

(2) "Secretary" means the secretary of agriculture, food and markets.

(3) "Horse" means the entire family of equidae.

(4) "Humane officer" or "officer" means any law enforcement officer as defined in 23 V.S.A. § 4(11), auxiliary state police officers, deputy game wardens, humane society officer, employee or agent, elected animal control officer, animal control officer appointed by the legislative body of a municipality, local board of health officer or agent, or any officer authorized to serve criminal process.

(5) "Humane society" or "society for prevention of cruelty to animals" means the Vermont Humane Federation, Inc., or its successor, or any incorporated humane society which, through its agents has the lawful authority to interfere with acts of cruelty to animals.

(6) "Local board of health" means the town or city health officer and the boards of selectmen or aldermen.

(7) "Necessary medical attention" shall include but not be limited to medical treatment for illness, injury, disease, excessive parasitism, or malformed or overgrown hoof.

(8) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, or corporation, or authorized agent or representative of a person, partnership, or corporation.

(9) "Sanitation" means the maintenance of clean conditions for indoor and outdoor enclosures to minimize health hazards, including periodic cleanings to remove excretions or other waste materials, dirt, and trash.

(10) "Torture" or "torment" means omission, neglect, or an act by an animal owner or other person, whereby physical pain, suffering or death is caused or permitted to be caused to an animal.

(11) "Livestock" means cattle, bison, horses, sheep, goats, swine, cervidae, ratites, and camelids.

(12) "Poultry" means meat and egg producing chickens, exhibition (fancy) chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks, geese, pheasants, chicken partridge, and cotarnix quail.

(13) "Livestock and poultry husbandry practices" means the raising, management and using of animals to provide humans with food, fiber, or transportation in a manner consistent with:

(A) husbandry practices recommended for the species by agricultural colleges and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service;

(B) husbandry practices modified for the species to conform to the Vermont environment and terrain; and

(C) husbandry practices that minimize pain and suffering.

(14) "Agricultural or sporting association" means an organization or association determined by the secretary.

(15) "Living space" means any cage, crate, or other structure used to confine an animal that serves as its principal, primary housing. Living space does not include a structure, such as a doghouse, in which an animal is not confined, or a cage, crate, or other structure in which the animal is temporarily confined.

(16) "Adequate food" means food that is not spoiled or contaminated and is of sufficient quantity and quality to meet the normal daily requirements for the condition and size of the animal and the environment in which it is kept. An animal shall be fed or have food available at least once each day, unless a licensed veterinarian instructs otherwise, or withholding food is in accordance with accepted agricultural or veterinarian practices.

(17) "Adequate water" means fresh, potable water provided at suitable intervals for the species, and which, in no event, shall exceed 24 hours at any interval. The animal must have access to the water.

(18) "Adequate shelter" means shelter which protects the animal from injury and environmental hazards. (Added 1989, No. 270 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1997, No. 130 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2003, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2009, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)