368. Operating upon tails of horses unlawful. 1. Any person who cuts the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of the tail of any horse, mare or gelding, or otherwise operates upon it in any manner for the purpose or with the effect of docking, setting, or otherwise altering the natural carriage of the tail, or who knowingly permits the same to be done upon premises of which he is the owner, lessee, proprietor or user, or who assists in or is voluntarily present at such cutting, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by both. If a horse is found with the bone, tissues, muscles or tendons of its tail cut as aforesaid and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed, upon the premises or in the charge and custody of any person, such fact shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section by the owner or user of such premises or the person having such charge or custody, respectively.
2. Any person who shows or exhibits at any horse show or other like exhibition in this state a horse, mare or gelding, the tail of which has been cut or operated upon in the manner referred to in section one hereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or by both; provided that the provisions of this section shall not apply with respect to an animal the tail of which has been so cut or operated upon, if the owner thereof furnishes to the manager or other official having charge of the horse show or exhibition at which such animal is shown or exhibited an affidavit by the owner, or a licensed veterinarian, in a form approved by the state department of agriculture and markets, stating either that the tail of such horse was so cut prior to June first, nineteen hundred sixty-four, or that it was so cut in a state wherein such cutting was not then specifically prohibited by the laws thereof. Said affidavit shall, to the best of affiant's knowledge, information and belief, identify the animal with respect to sex, age, markings, sire and dam, and state either that the cutting was done prior to June first, nineteen hundred sixty-four, or the time and place of such cutting and the name and address of the person by whom performed. The affidavit shall be subject to inspection at all reasonable times by any peace officer, acting pursuant to his special duties, or police officer of this state, or by a designated representative of the commissioner. In lieu of furnishing such affidavit to the manager or other official having charge of such horse show or exhibition, the owner of such horse may specify on the entry blank for the horse show or exhibition the name and address of a central registry office designated by the state department of agriculture and markets where such an affidavit has already been filed and is available for inspection.
Last modified: February 3, 2019