# COMAR Title 15 — Maryland Department of Agriculture

## Subtitle 11 — Animal Health

### Chapter 17 — Humane Treatment of Livestock, Including 3-D Livestock, at Auction Markets

#### Regulation .03 Responsibility of Livestock Market Operators.

*COMAR 15.11.17.03*

A. An operator of a livestock market:

  (1) Shall provide humane treatment of livestock in its custody;

  (2) May not accept downers for sale at its market;

  (3) In the case of livestock that become downers after acceptance for sale at the market, shall:

    (a) Provide the needed equipment for handling, moving, and, if necessary, euthanizing these animals,

    (b) Identify and mark the livestock in a distinctive manner,

    (c) Separate and separately pen the livestock from healthy animals, and

    (d) Notify the Department that an animal has become a downer; and

  (4) Shall properly dispose of all animals that die or are euthanized after acceptance into the market.

B. The operator of a livestock market is permitted to offer or sell 3-D livestock only to a slaughtering establishment for immediate slaughter.

C. At the close of a livestock sale, if any downers remain unsold, the market operator immediately shall:

  (1) Euthanize the livestock as provided under 9 CFR 313; or

  (2) Place them in the care of a licensed veterinarian.