N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 359-a: Transportation of horses

§ 359-a. Transportation of horses. 1. Every vehicle utilized for the

transportation of more than six horses shall meet the following

requirements:

a. The interiors of compartments containing horses shall be

constructed of smooth materials, containing no sharp objects or

protrusions which are hazardous;

b. The floors shall be of such construction or covered with abrasive

material so as to prevent horses from skidding or sliding;

c. There shall be sufficient apertures to insure adequate ventilation;

d. There shall be sufficient insulation or coverings to maintain an

adequate temperature in the compartment containing horses;

e. Partitions of sturdy construction shall be placed a maximum of ten

feet apart in vehicles which do not have stalls;

f. Doorways shall be of sufficient height to allow safe ingress and

egress of each horse contained in the compartment;

g. Each compartment containing horses shall be of such height so as to

allow sufficient clearance above the poll and withers of each horse in

the compartment;

h. Ramps sufficient for loading and unloading horses shall be provided

if the vertical distance from the floor of the compartment containing

horses to the ground is greater than fifteen inches; and

i. There shall be at least two doorways for ingress and egress, which

shall not be on the same side.

2. Every vehicle utilized for the transportation of more than six

horses over a highway shall have no more than one tier.

3. a. Transporting a horse in violation of this section shall be a

violation punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty

dollars.

b. Any subsequent violation of this section on a date following a

conviction under the provisions of this section shall be a misdemeanor

punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or

imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

4. The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations, including

size specifications, and establish guidelines in order to facilitate

compliance with the provisions of this section.

5. a. The term "horse" as used throughout this section shall apply to

the entire family of equidae.

b. The term "vehicle" as used throughout this section shall apply to

every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be

transported or drawn upon a highway, except devices moved by human power

or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

6. The court in which a conviction under the provisions of this

section is obtained, shall, within thirty days of such conviction,

transmit a copy of the record of conviction to the department which

shall maintain a record of such conviction for the purpose of

identifying subsequent violations of this section.