134.53 Transportation and sale of cattle.
(1) No person shall transport cattle on any highway unless accompanied by shipping documents setting forth the number of cattle being moved, a description of the cattle, including brand, registry or other identification numbers if any, name and address of the owner, and point of origin and destination. The shipping document may consist of a statement signed by the owner setting forth the above information.
(2) Cattle being transported on highways and all shipping documents and other records pertaining to such animals shall be subject to inspection by any police officer. Such officers may stop or intercept any vehicle used or suspected of being used for the transportation of cattle and may seize or detain any shipment of cattle not accompanied by shipping documents containing information as required under sub. (1), or accompanied by shipping documents which may be false, until such time as satisfactory evidence of ownership of the cattle is obtained.
(3) No person shall purchase or receive for sale or shipment any cattle not accompanied by shipping documents required under sub. (1). Copies of such documents shall be retained for a period of 6 months following date of purchase or receipt of the cattle and shall be available for inspection at all reasonable times by any police officer.
(4) Any person who transports cattle without shipping documents containing information required under sub. (1), or executes, furnishes or issues any false document pertaining to the ownership or shipment of cattle, or who violates this section in any other manner shall be fined not more than $500, or be imprisoned not more than 3 months, or both.
(5) Subsection (1) does not apply to cattle being transported between farms owned, rented or leased by the owner of the cattle when ownership of cattle does not change.
(6) Subsection (1) does not apply to cattle being transported to market by the owner of the cattle.
History: 1973 c. 239.