Trichomoniasis procedures added to livestock welfare bill

Senators amended and advanced a bill from select file April 24 that would strengthen seizure protocol in the case of livestock neglect or cruelty.

LB423, introduced by the Agriculture Committee, would authorize law enforcement officials to enter into an agreement with animal owners and custodians outlining interventions to be undertaken to avoid seizure of neglected animals. In the event that a seizure of animals occured, the bill would allow the animals to be kept on the premises of the owner or custodian.

Committee chairperson Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala, said putting the provisions in place would level the playing field for all livestock owners.

“This is a first step to get us to where we need to be to take control of this issue,” he said. “Now that there is a structure to do this, it will make it easier for everyone to remain in compliance.”

The bill also would establish procedures for determining the need to euthanize animals experiencing extreme suffering. Upon seizure of the animals, the law enforcement agency taking custody would have seven days to petition for a hearing before the district court, which would be scheduled within 10 days of the date of petition.

If a court determined that abandonment or cruel neglect had occurred, it could:
• order immediate forfeiture of animals and authorize euthanasia;
• detail conditions that must be met to restore custody to the owner; or
• order a bond or security to pay for the seizing agency’s cost for care of the animals.

If the owner or custodian were found not guilty, all costs associated with the seizure and care of animals would be refunded.

The bill also would allow a court to order direct installment payments to cover expenses for the care of seized animals.

A Schilz amendment, adopted 30-0, would prevent the provisions of the bill from preempting any animal welfare ordinances of a city of the primary class. Currently, Lincoln is the only primary class city.

Senators also adopted an amendment 29-0 that included provisions of LB544, a bill originally introduced by North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen. Under the amendment, any person who owns a beef or dairy breeding bull infected with bovine trichomoniasis would be prohibited from selling or transporting the animal except for slaughter.

The owner also would be required to report the diagnosis to the state Department of Agriculture within five business days of laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis. The owner also would be liable for notifying all neighboring landowners of the infection within 14 days.

Hansen said making sure all landowners are aware of the infection can prevent significant outbreaks among livestock.

“Some people don’t want to notify their neighbors because it’s embarrassing or it speaks to their management skills,” he said. “One way or another people are going to find out about it. It’s only logical to ask one neighbor to tell another that there’s a problem.”

Senators advanced the bill to final reading on a voice vote.