(a) Any domestic animal brought into the State shall be tested and inspected in the state of origin when testing or inspection is required by rule. Imported domestic animals may be retested at the discretion of the Secretary.

(b) In order to prevent the spread of infections or contagious diseases, any domestic animal brought into the State without having been first tested and inspected, as required by the Secretary's rules, may be returned to the state of origin within 48 hours of a determination by the Secretary that the animals have been illegally imported. While in the State, the illegally imported domestic animals shall be strictly quarantined. In the event that the domestic animals cannot be returned to the state of origin, the animals may be slaughtered or euthanized within 72 hours of a determination by the Secretary that the animals have been illegally imported. The owner of the domestic animals shall bear the full expense of their removal from the State, or destruction, and shall not be entitled to any compensation from the State. (Amended 1961, No. 56; 1975, No. 12, § 1, eff. March 10, 1975; 1985, No. 205 (Adj. Sess.); 1991, No 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. May 5, 1992; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2017, No. 30, § 4.)