(A) The owner shall burn the body of an animal that has died of, or been destroyed because of, a dangerously infectious or contagious disease, bury it not less than four feet under the surface of the ground, dissolve it by alkaline hydrolysis, remove it in a watertight tank to a rendering establishment, or otherwise dispose of it in accordance with section 939.04 or 953.26 of the Revised Code within twenty-four hours after knowledge thereof or after notice in writing from the department of agriculture.

(B) The owner of premises that contain a dead animal shall burn the body of the animal, bury it not less than four feet beneath the surface of the ground, dissolve it by alkaline hydrolysis, remove it in a watertight tank to a rendering establishment, or otherwise dispose of it in accordance with section 939.04 or 953.26 of the Revised Code within a reasonable time after knowledge thereof or after notice in writing from the department or from the township trustees of the township in which the owner's premises are located.

(C) The director of agriculture may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing requirements and procedures governing the disposal of the body of an animal that has died of, or been destroyed because of, a disease of concern.

(D) Notwithstanding division (A) or (B) of this section or rules adopted under division (C) of this section, the director , in written notice sent to the owner of a dead animal, may require the owner to employ a specific method of disposition of the body, including burning, burying, rendering, composting, or alkaline hydrolysis, when that method does not conflict with any law or rule governing the disposal of infectious wastes and, in the director's judgment, is necessary for purposes of animal disease control. No person shall fail to employ the method of disposition required under this division.

(E) The director, in written notice sent to the owner of a dead animal, may prohibit the owner from transporting the body of the dead animal on any street or highway if that prohibition does not conflict with any law or rule governing the transportation of infectious wastes and, in the director's judgment, is necessary for purposes of animal disease control. No person shall fail to comply with a prohibition issued under this division.

(F) As used in this section, "infectious wastes" has the same meaning as in section 3734.01 of the Revised Code, and "street" or "highway" has the same meaning as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 131, §1, eff. 3/23/2016.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 64, §101.01, eff. 1/1/2016.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.42, HB 229, §1, eff. 10/17/2011.

Effective Date: 08-10-1994