Contagious and Infectious Diseases Among Livestock

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 11, ch. 19
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-101 Duties of state veterinarian generally; failure to comply with provisions; penalty.

(a) The state veterinarian shall investigate all cases of dangerously contagious or infectious diseases among domestic animals in this state which are brought to his notice. In the absence of specific information, he shall make inspections of any locality where he has reason to suspect there is any contagious or infectious disease. He shall order that all animals affected with, exposed to or suspected of being affected with such diseases be gathered and quarantined. No animals pronounced affected with a dangerously contagious or infectious disease by the state veterinarian or his deputy or agent shall be turned loose, removed or permitted to escape, but shall be held subject to the order of the state veterinarian. All animals ordered gathered shall be gathered within a reasonable time specified by the state veterinarian. (b) The state veterinarian may inspect, treat, test, vaccinate, quarantine or sell any animal imported into Wyoming in violation of W.S. 11-19-111 or any rules promulgated thereunder. (c) Any person failing to comply with this section shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103. (d) The state veterinarian may provide contagious and infectious reportable disease testing, containment and reimbursement services under this chapter to any livestock producer in Wyoming, including on the Wind River Indian Reservation who agrees to comply with the applicable program requirements, rules and any orders or regulations issued pursuant to the testing results or program requirements. Services on the Wind River Indian Reservation under this subsection may also be provided pursuant to a cooperative agreement entered into by the Wyoming livestock board, in consultation with the state veterinarian, and the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, the Northern Arapaho Tribe or the cooperative tribal governing body. The testing, containment and reimbursement services provided under this subsection shall not apply to bison designated as wildlife pursuant to W.S. 11-20-101(a)(iv).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-102 Duty of public to report diseases; list of reportable diseases; failure to comply or obstruction of duty; liability; penalties.

(a) Any person or government entity who knows or suspects that there is any contagious or infectious reportable disease among animals owned by or under their jurisdiction or any veterinarian who knows or suspects any reportable contagious or infectious disease on any premises or in any animal, shall immediately report the same to the state veterinarian. The state veterinarian shall establish and manage a list of reportable diseases for any contagious or infectious disease deemed by the state veterinarian to be a threat to domestic animals. During development of this list the state veterinarian shall consult with the Wyoming game and fish department's supervisor of veterinary research services. Information collected in response to the list of reportable diseases shall be considered confidential proprietary information. Access to any information collected under the list of reportable diseases shall be limited to the person who reported the disease and the state veterinarian, except that the state veterinarian may at his discretion notify any of the following: (i) The Wyoming livestock board; (ii) The state veterinary laboratory; (iii) The Wyoming game and fish director only if the disease threatens wildlife; (iv) Any state or federal inspector, public health official or peace officer who is actively involved in the investigation of an outbreak or suspected outbreak of the contagious or infectious disease; (v) Owners of possible contact animals; (vi) Adjacent landowners; or (vii) Local area practicing veterinarians. (b) The state veterinarian when he deems it to be in the best interests of animal health, or the state public health officer when he deems it to be in the best interests of human public health, may release to the public any information collected under subsection (a) of this section, except the identity of any individual who reported the disease or whose animals may have contracted the disease. (c) A failure to report, or any attempt to conceal the existence of the disease or to willfully or maliciously obstruct or resist the veterinarian in the discharge of his duty is a misdemeanor. Any person who willfully or maliciously falsifies a report to the state veterinarian is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person convicted of any of the above acts or omissions shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103. (d) Any person who knows that they own or have in their possession any livestock as defined by W.S. 11-20-101(a)(iv) infected with any disease formally declared by the Wyoming livestock board, through rule and regulation, as being potentially economically devastating and for which there is a valid diagnostic test and who transfers ownership or possession of the livestock to another person, or who knowingly or through his own neglect allows the livestock to commingle with uninfected livestock, is liable for the economic damages caused by the spread of the disease to uninfected livestock. In addition to the conditions for liability and recovery set in subsection (e) of this section, damages shall be available under this subsection only to a transferee who accepts the diseased animal directly from the liable person and to the owner of an animal that becomes infected as the result of direct contact with the diseased animal. The burden of proving liability and damages under this section shall be upon the person claiming damages. Any person who files a claim for recovery under this subsection alleging facts known to be false is liable for three (3) times the damages caused by the false claim and reasonable attorney fees. (e) No person who has received written notice that an animal is infected with a disease identified in subsection (d) of this section prior to acquiring ownership or assuming possession of the infected animal shall be entitled to the damages provided by subsection (d) of this section. No livestock sales or auction facility shall be subject to the liability imposed by subsection (d) of this section if: (i) The existence of disease was not reported to the facility and the facility did not know of the existence of the disease; or (ii) The facility provided written notice of the disease to the person claiming damages under subsection (d) of this section. (f) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the state veterinarian shall provide testing information to the owner of an animal that has tested non-negative for brucellosis not later than three (3) days after receipt of the preliminary laboratory results.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-103 Quarantine of diseased animals generally; treatment, testing and vaccination thereof; effect of failure to obey order of state veterinarian; appeal; stay of action.

(a) In all cases of infectious and contagious disease among domestic animals in this state, the state veterinarian may order the quarantine of the infected premises. If the disease becomes epizootic in any locality in this state, the state veterinarian shall immediately notify the governor who shall issue his proclamation forbidding transfer of any animal of the kind among which the epizootic disease exists from the locality without permission from the state veterinarian. (b) Whenever the state veterinarian finds any infectious or contagious disease among domestic animals in any section of the state he shall take such steps as will prevent the spread of the disease. The state veterinarian may inspect and compel the treatment, testing, vaccination or quarantine of all such animals in Wyoming found to be infected or exposed to the disease or imported in violation of W.S. 11-19-111 or any rules promulgated thereunder, under such rules and regulations as he may adopt. Any order or regulation made by the state veterinarian is subject to review, modification or annulment by the board at any subsequent meeting. (c) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 96, § 2. (d) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 96, § 2. (e) If the owner or persons in charge of animals ordered treated, tested, vaccinated or quarantined after reasonable notice determined by the veterinarian, fail to treat, test, vaccinate or quarantine such animals as ordered, the veterinarian may seize or cause such animals to be seized and treated, tested, vaccinated or quarantined and may hold and sell the animals, or part thereof as necessary to pay all costs of inspection, seizing, caring for, treating, testing, vaccinating or quarantine together with cost of sale. The sale shall be made at the time and place and in the manner prescribed by the veterinarian. Not less than three (3) days nor more than fifteen (15) days notice of the time, place and purpose of the sale shall be given by the veterinarian to the owner or persons in charge of the animals, by personal service within the county in which the animals are being held if possible, and if not possible then such notice may be given either by personal service outside of the county or by advertisement in any paper selected by the veterinarian. The state veterinarian shall only sell the animals after all other remedies have been exhausted. (f) The owner of animals so seized and held may at any time prior to sale recover possession of the same by paying to the state veterinarian the amount of costs incurred by order of the veterinarian against the animals. Any sum realized from the sale of the animals over the cost actually incurred against the animals shall be returned to the owner of the animals if known or can by reasonable diligence be found. Otherwise the overage shall be placed in the estray fund and dispensed as provided by law. (g) Any order or other action under this chapter may be appealed by the owner, or the agent of the owner, of the animals affected or by any aggrieved governmental entity to the board as follows: (i) The appeal shall be requested within thirty (30) days of the order or action, except that a quarantine may be appealed at any time during the quarantine; (ii) An informal hearing may initially be requested. A formal hearing may subsequently be requested and shall be conducted as a contested case in accordance with the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. The board shall render a final decision in writing within ten (10) working days of the conclusion of the hearing; (iii) The board may alter, amend, annul or otherwise modify any order in the event the board finds: (A) The aggrieved person was injured by the order or regulation; and (B) The state veterinarian lacked legal authority for the order or regulation; or (C) The order or regulation was not needed to: (I) Protect the public health; (II) Prevent the spread of animal disease; (III) Preserve the ability to market Wyoming livestock efficiently; or (IV) Implement a specific requirement of Wyoming law. (iv) All decisions of the board are subject to judicial review under the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. (h) In the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak, an act of animal agro-terrorism or other animal health emergency, the state veterinarian shall have all of the resources of the livestock board at his disposal. When such an event occurs, the state veterinarian shall immediately notify the governor and shall advise him as to any additional resources which may be needed to address the emergency. (j) Any person failing to comply with this section shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103. (k) The owner or producer of animals quarantined for brucellosis containment efforts may submit a claim at any time during the quarantine, or within thirty (30) days after release from quarantine, for reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in mitigating or attempting to mitigate the effects of the quarantine. The Wyoming livestock board, in consultation with the state veterinarian, shall promulgate rules for the processing of claims under this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-104 Slaughter of diseased animals; authority of veterinarian; slaughtering order; when consent of owner required.

(a) In any case of epizootic disease where premises have been previously quarantined by the state veterinarian, he may order the slaughter of any diseased animals upon the premises and all animals that have been exposed to contagion or infection under the following restrictions: (i) The order shall be in writing with a duplicate for each owner of the animals condemned; (ii) The original of each order shall be filed by the veterinarian with the governor and a duplicate given to the owner; and (iii) Before slaughtering any animal that has been exposed only and does not show disease, the veterinarian shall have the consent of the owner or person in charge of the animal to be slaughtered.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-106 Removal of diseased animals; owner's claims.

(a) All claims against the state arising from the ordered disposal of animals by the state veterinarian for scrapie, brucellosis and tuberculosis, together with the order of the veterinarian, shall be submitted to the state auditor who shall examine them without unnecessary delay. For purposes of this section, "disposal" means to sell, send to slaughter or destroy the animal. For each claim he finds to be equitable and entitled to indemnity under this chapter the auditor shall issue his warrant on the state treasurer for the sum named in the claim. All claims for indemnity arising under the provisions of this chapter, before they are presented for payment to the auditor, shall be submitted to the state veterinarian who shall fully inform himself of the facts connected with each claim. The state veterinarian shall endorse on each claim his approval or rejection and shall express in such endorsement the reasons for his approval or rejection. (b) If the state veterinarian rejects a claim it and the reasons for rejection shall be submitted to a board of arbitration consisting of three (3) members selected as follows: (i) The state veterinarian shall select one (1) stock grower who is a resident of the county where the ordered disposed animal for which the claim is made ranged; (ii) The claimant shall select one (1) stock grower who is a resident of the same county; and (iii) These two (2) shall choose the third member from among the stock growers of the same county. (c) The indemnity granted under this section shall be the difference between the fair market value of the livestock and the amount received for the sale, less any amount of reimbursement provided for and paid under federal law and regulation. Fair market value shall be determined by using comparable sales data from state markets at the time of removal or by the use of a qualified independent livestock appraiser as designated by the state veterinarian. If no sale is transacted, but an animal is removed for diagnostic purposes or disposal, the reimbursement provided shall be the fair market value minus any other reimbursement. Unless otherwise reimbursed, the cost of shipping or transportation and commission charges shall be added to the amount provided to the producer for livestock indemnification. It shall be paid to the owner upon his application and presentation of proofs prescribed herein within six (6) months of the date of ordered disposal for which payment is claimed. The claim shall be barred if not presented within the time limited. (d) Payments shall be made by the state treasurer from funds appropriated to the animal reimbursement program account under W.S. 11-19-118 and as provided by W.S. 11-19-109. The right to indemnity is limited to animals destroyed by reason of existence or suspected existence of some epizootic form of infectious or contagious diseases, generally fatal or incurable. (e) There is no right to indemnity and payment in the following cases: (i) For animals belonging to the United States; (ii) For animals that are brought into the state contrary to the laws of this state or the governor's import proclamation; (iii) For animals found to be diseased upon arrival or that were exposed to the disease prior to their arrival in the state under circumstances whereby the Wyoming owner knew or should have known of such conditions; (iv) When an animal was previously affected by any other disease which from its nature and development was incurable and necessarily fatal; (v) When the owner or person in charge has knowingly or negligently omitted to comply with W.S. 11-19-104 or 11-19-105; or (vi) When the owner or claimant at the time of coming in possession of the animal knew it to be diseased or received the notice specified in W.S. 11-19-110. (f) The Wyoming livestock board, in consultation with the state veterinarian, shall promulgate rules and regulations for the processing of claims under this section. (g) Renumbered as 11-19-118 by Laws 2020, ch. 94, § 2.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-107 Auditor to pay claims allowed by board; effect of failure to submit claim to board.

The state auditor shall pay no claim for indemnity which is rejected by the state veterinarian, unless it has been submitted to arbitration and the arbitration board decided it to be legal and just. If any claimant refuses to submit his claim rejected by the veterinarian to a board of arbitration, the refusal is a waiver of all claim for indemnity.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-108 Compensation of board.

Each member of a board of arbitration shall receive one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each day actually engaged and employed in the investigation of any claim, paid by the state veterinarian out of an appropriation for that purpose.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-109 Limitations on indemnity.

The liability of the state for indemnity for animals destroyed under this act [§§ 11-19-101 through 11-19-111] in any two (2) years, is limited by and shall in no case exceed the amount especially appropriated for that purpose and for that period.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-110 Quarantine of diseased animals; authority of veterinarian over animals in transit.

(a) The owner or person having in charge any animal affected with or suspected of any contagious or infectious disease shall immediately confine the animal in a safe place, isolated from other animals, and with all necessary restrictions to prevent dissemination of the disease until the arrival of the state veterinarian. (b) The state veterinarian or his agent may examine all animals passing through the state and on detection or suspicion of disease may take possession of and treat and dispose of animals in transit in the same manner as animals resident in the state.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-111 Regulation of importation of animals; prohibited acts; penalties; applicability.

(a) The governor, upon recommendation of the Wyoming livestock board, may regulate by proclamation the importation into Wyoming from any other state any animal, blood, microorganism or biologic agent capable of causing any disease affecting livestock or other animals, or any other item suspected of being infected or contaminated with biologic agents capable of causing animal disease, except under such conditions as he deems proper for the protection of the livestock, livestock animals as defined in W.S. 11-29-101(a)(vi) and other domestic animals of Wyoming. All requirements in the governor's proclamation shall be enforced by the Wyoming livestock board. (b) After a proclamation is issued by the governor it is unlawful for any person to import into Wyoming or receive imports within this state from any other state any animal, blood, microorganism or biologic agent capable of causing any diseases affecting livestock or other animals, or any product or item suspected of being infected or contaminated with biologic agents capable of causing animal disease, except under such conditions as may be imposed by the proclamation. Any person who violates this section shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103. The violator is civilly liable for all damages and loss sustained by any person by reason of violation of the proclamation. (c) The proclamation authorized by this section shall not prohibit the transportation of animals through Wyoming by railroad as long as the animals are not unloaded in this state. (d) The state veterinarian may inspect, treat, test, vaccinate, quarantine or sell any livestock or other domestic animals imported into Wyoming in violation of W.S. 11-19-111 or any rules promulgated thereunder. Any order or regulation made by the state veterinarian is subject to review, modification or annulment by the governor or the board at any subsequent meeting. (e) An order of the state veterinarian under subsection (d) of this section shall be subject to appeal and due process as provided in W.S. 11-19-103.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-112 Cooperation with animal and plant health inspection service.

The state consents to having the animal and plant health inspection service (APHIS) of the United States department of agriculture and its employees come within Wyoming for all purposes connected with the importation and exportation of diseased livestock and for all purposes connected with the eradication, suppression and control of dangerously infectious and contagious diseases of livestock.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-118 Animal reimbursement program account.

(a) There is created the animal reimbursement program account into which shall be deposited revenues as provided by law. Interest on earnings from funds in the account shall be credited to the account. Deposits into the account shall only be expended pursuant to this section, W.S. 11-19-103, 11-19-106, 11-19-214, 11-19-406 and Wyoming livestock board rules. Notwithstanding W.S. 9-2-1008 or 9-4-207, unexpended funds shall not revert. (b) The state veterinarian shall report the balance of the account and the claims endorsed and paid each fiscal year to the joint appropriations committee and the joint agriculture, state and public lands and water resources interim committee. (c) Before the state veterinarian endorses any payment to be made from this account for the ordered disposal of any livestock under W.S. 11-19-106, 11-19-214 or 11-19-406 or for brucellosis testing and containment efforts pursuant to Wyoming livestock board rules or under W.S. 11-19-103, the state veterinarian shall ascertain that sufficient funds are available in the account. The state veterinarian shall use available federal funds before using state funds to make any payment from this account. (d) Not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) shall be paid for any single quarantine effort under W.S. 11-19-103(k). The reimbursement limit under this subsection does not include any indemnity payment for livestock disposal under W.S. 11-19-106, 11-19-214 or 11-19-406. Payments from this account for quarantine efforts shall cease whenever the unexpended, unobligated account balance equals or is less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00). Payments from this account for quarantine efforts may resume after the unexpended, unobligated account balance exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00). (e) The Wyoming livestock board, in consultation with the state veterinarian, shall promulgate rules to carry out the purposes of this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-201 Definitions.

(a) As used in this act: (i) "Dairy animal" means any cow, sheep or goat, the milk or milk products from which is sold or used for human consumption; (ii) "Livestock animal" means as defined in W.S. 11-29-101(a)(vi); (iii) "This act" means W.S. 11-19-201 through 11-19-215.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-208 Ear tags; record to be kept of livestock animals tested.

Each livestock animal tested for tuberculosis shall have an official ear tag inserted in its ear. The testing veterinarian shall keep an official record of all livestock animals tested and submit a copy of the record to state and federal animal health officials.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-209 Tests of livestock animals.

Whenever the state veterinarian suspects that tuberculosis exists or has been introduced to livestock animals, he shall order the testing of the livestock animals.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-214 Disposition of diseased livestock.

All livestock animals in Wyoming, including those belonging to a producer on the Wind River Indian Reservation who receives services pursuant to W.S. 11-19-101(d), found to be affected with or exposed to tuberculosis may be disposed on the origin premises or transported under the direction of the state veterinarian directly to an approved slaughter facility, rendering facility or veterinary diagnostic laboratory in accordance with federal regulations. Producers may be eligible for indemnification as provided in W.S. 11-19-106 for any livestock animal ordered disposed pursuant to this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-215 Prohibited acts; penalties.

Any person who intentionally interferes with, refuses to assist in gathering and testing his livestock animals, or hinders the work of the state veterinarian or his employees under this act, or who attempts to defeat the object of the tuberculin test by a previous injection of tuberculin commonly known as "plugging," or in any way attempts to prevent an accurate and truthful determination of the condition of the livestock animals tested, shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-303 Appropriations by counties for control of diseases.

The board of county commissioners may appropriate as much money as it deems necessary for the control and eradication of any infectious, contagious or communicable diseases of livestock. The funds shall be used in cooperation with the state veterinarian or the United States department of agriculture, animal and plant health inspection service (APHIS) in testing animals and disposing of diseased animals disclosed by the tests as provided by law.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-304 Prohibition on importation of cattle or bison; penalties.

Any person bringing cattle or bison into any tuberculosis accredited-free area except in compliance with the rules and regulations made by the state veterinarian shall upon conviction be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-305 Powers of state veterinarian.

The state veterinarian may make and enforce rules and regulations necessary for the enforcement of W.S. 11-19-303 through 11-19-306.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-306 Penalties for violation of rules and regulations.

Any person who violates any lawful rule or regulation made by the state veterinarian pursuant to W.S. 11-19-305 is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-401 Tagging, branding and disposition of cattle reacting to test; penalties for failure to comply.

All livestock animals in Wyoming reacting to a confirmatory test for brucellosis (Bang's disease) may be immediately permanently branded with a hot iron letter "B" on the left tailhead by or in the presence of an officially authorized veterinarian. All such reactor livestock animals shall be disposed of for slaughter or diagnostic purposes only, upon and according to written instruction from the Wyoming livestock board. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be punished as provided in W.S. 11-1-103. As used in this section, "confirmatory test" means a test for brucellosis that has the specificity and sensitivity to verify the presence or absence of brucella abortus in animal serum or tissues and is used to confirm results from an initial brucellosis test.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-402 Breeding cattle and bison entering state to show evidence of negative test or vaccination for brucellosis; exceptions.

All breeding cattle and bison entering Wyoming shall be accompanied by a proper health certificate showing evidence of a negative blood test for brucellosis made within thirty (30) days prior to entry, or evidence of being officially vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian during calfhood against brucellosis. Breeding cattle and bison originating from brucellosis free areas and from certified brucellosis free herds entering Wyoming may be exempt from this section but must be accompanied by a proper health certificate.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-403 When cattle or bison exempt from provisions.

Breeding cattle and bison entering Wyoming for the purpose of feeding only may be exempt from the requirements of W.S. 11-19-402 if they are placed under quarantine by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Wyoming livestock board.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-404 Applicability of provisions.

The Wyoming livestock board shall determine which of the requirements set forth in W.S. 11-19-402 through 11-19-404 apply to the various counties or areas within Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-405 Control of brucellosis; governor authorized to negotiate with federal agencies.

(a) To preserve the brucellosis-free status of this state, the governor shall enter into negotiations with any relevant parties including appropriate federal agencies and tribes of the regions adjacent to Wyoming on steps necessary to ensure brucellosis is not passed from wildlife to livestock. (b) The governor may direct any state agency to take any actions needed to ensure brucellosis does not spread from wildlife to livestock. (c) In the event of a confirmed outbreak of brucellosis, the governor may authorize the state veterinarian, with the approval of the Wyoming livestock board, to require brucellosis testing of all test eligible bovine or domestic bison at the farm or ranch of origin or any licensed Wyoming livestock market prior to a change of ownership for a period of up to eighteen (18) months. At the end of the required testing period, the state veterinarian shall review the testing requirement and may reimpose brucellosis testing for one (1) or more successive periods under this subsection if there is deemed by the state veterinarian to be a threat to Wyoming's brucellosis free status or if the state is designated as brucellosis class A or lower status. (d) The state veterinarian may direct any Wyoming brand inspector to withhold a brand inspection for movement or change of ownership to any person who has not shown evidence of any required brucellosis test. (e) As part of the state brucellosis surveillance and prevention program, the state veterinarian may require brucellosis testing of any test eligible bovine or domestic bison at any licensed Wyoming livestock market at any time. Failure to comply shall result in a suspension of the livestock market's license. (f) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be punished as provided by W.S. 11-1-103.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-406 Sale of diseased cattle or domestic bison.

All cattle or domestic bison in Wyoming, including those belonging to a producer on the Wind River Indian Reservation who receives services pursuant to W.S. 11-19-101(d), lawfully found to be affected with brucellosis, including all sexually intact cattle or domestic bison that are part of a herd found to be affected with brucellosis, may be shipped or transported under the direction of the state veterinarian to livestock markets and sold for immediate slaughter or transferred to an approved slaughter facility or veterinary diagnostic laboratory in accordance with federal regulations. Payments under this section shall not be made by the state for any sexually intact female cattle or bison which are over twelve (12) months old and which are not official calfhood vaccinates as provided in board rule and regulation. Producers may be eligible for indemnification in accordance with W.S. 11-19-106 for any livestock ordered disposed pursuant to this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-407 Brucellosis testing program.

(a) The livestock board shall develop a brucellosis surveillance program in any designated surveillance area as defined by the livestock board and any temporary surveillance area designated by the board and approved by the governor as an area where risk of exposure to documented infected wildlife is of concern. The program may be conducted with the help of veterinary practitioners and livestock auction markets. This program shall provide for the testing of livestock for brucellosis, for spaying heifers and for adult vaccinations only to the extent that may be reasonably necessary to maintain or to regain the brucellosis-free status of the state of Wyoming. Compensation under this program for all purposes except mandatory testing or testing within a temporary surveillance area as designated by the board and approved by the governor shall be pursuant to the terms of a brucellosis mitigation plan that has been entered into between the livestock producer and the Wyoming state veterinarian. (b) The compensation for brucellosis surveillance testing, spaying heifers and adult vaccinations shall be paid at not less than one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per head and not more than eight dollars ($8.00) per head of cattle actually tested, spayed or adult vaccinated. Compensation for brucellosis testing, spaying or adult vaccinating may include the purchase of brucellosis testing, spaying or adult vaccinating equipment, supplies and postage. (c) Payments under subsection (b) of this section shall be made monthly directly to accredited veterinarians who perform brucellosis testing, spaying, adult vaccinating and surveillance planning or to livestock auction markets that use their facilities and veterinarians to conduct brucellosis testing, spaying or adult vaccinating as mandated by rule of the Wyoming livestock board or the United States department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service. The payment shall be made upon receipt by the Wyoming livestock board of documentation in the format and manner specified by board rule.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-501 When notice of importation to be made; contents; applicability of rules and regulations of board.

(a) Any person intending to bring or cause to be brought any sheep from any other state or territory, the District of Columbia or any foreign country into Wyoming in any manner except by shipping them through the state by railroad or truck, shall, ten (10) days before crossing the state line, notify the executive officer of the board of the proposed action. The notice shall set forth the number of sheep, the brands or marks thereon, the name of the owner and the locality from which the sheep came and through which they have been driven. (b) Sheep trailed or shipped into the state from adjoining states for immediate interstate shipment or for show and exhibition purposes, sheep grazing along and across state lines, and sheep shipped from any part of this state to feed yards in any other part of the state when shipment is made by interstate route, are governed by the rules and regulations of the board.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-502 Unloading sheep in transit prohibited; exception; cost of enforcement.

Any sheep in transit through this state shall not be unloaded for any purpose except for feeding, and shall be held in the feed yards or in grazing grounds and not allowed to leave. All expenses of enforcing this section shall be paid by the owner of the sheep.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-503 Bringing infected sheep into state prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to bring into this state any sheep infected with any infectious or contagious disease, or that have been exposed to such disease.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-504 Refusal to give information deemed misdemeanor.

Any herder or other person in charge of sheep who willfully refuses to give an inspector information as to the condition of sheep in his charge is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided by W.S. 11-19-506.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-505 Owners to be jointly and severally liable; when arrest necessary; service of summons and complaint.

In any action arising under W.S. 11-19-501 through 11-19-505, all persons owning or having control of the sheep concerning which the action is had, are liable severally and jointly. In criminal actions, no arrest is necessary except in case of nonresident persons, but a summons containing notice of the time and place of trial, together with a copy of the complaint filed in a circuit court, or in the court in which the action is commenced, shall be served in the same manner and for the length of time provided by law for the service of summons in civil cases.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-506 Penalties.

Any person who violates W.S. 11-19-501 through 11-19-505 shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisoned not more than one (1) year, or both.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-601 Findings; purposes.

(a) The interaction of livestock and wildlife may lead to mutual or shared diseases. Some of these diseases may have the potential to adversely affect Wyoming's livestock producers and influence the management of Wyoming's free-ranging wildlife. Research into these diseases may provide strategies or solutions that benefit Wyoming's livestock industries and wildlife resources. (b) The purpose of the Wyoming wildlife/livestock disease research partnership is to utilize existing personnel and facilities of the state, to identify funding sources, to enhance wildlife and livestock disease research in the state, and to understand, manage, control and preempt potentially mutual or shared diseases that may impact wildlife, livestock or humans.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-602 Wyoming wildlife/livestock disease research partnership board created; membership; duties; purposes.

(a) There is created the wildlife/livestock disease research partnership board within the department. The board shall consist of the following members or their designees: (i) The director of the department; (ii) The director of the Wyoming game and fish department; (iii) The vice-president for research at the University of Wyoming; (iv) The director of the Wyoming state veterinary laboratory; and (v) The state veterinarian. (b) The board shall: (i) Accept funding from all sources, including federal, state and local governments and private donations to carry out the purposes of this article; (ii) Leverage funds received to match other funds that may be available to the board; (iii) Deposit funds received into the account created by W.S. 11-19-603. No funds may be withdrawn or otherwise expended without the specific consent of at least three (3) members of the board; (iv) Accept, review and prioritize research proposals submitted to the board; (v) Seek support for programs and projects consistent with the purposes of the board; (vi) Allocate funds for research which serve the goals of understanding, managing, controlling or preempting potentially mutual or shared diseases that impact wild and domestic animals or humans in the state; (vii) Allocate funds for monitoring, tracking and conducting disease surveillance before and following the introduction of bighorn sheep in the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit. (c) In approving research requests for funding, the board shall first consider any requests for funding from the Wyoming game and fish department, the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming department of agriculture and the Wyoming livestock board. After consideration of requests from those state agencies, the board may consider requests from other entities. (d) All research projects requesting funding from the board shall be submitted to the board in a form and manner specified by the board. The approval of not less than three (3) members of the board shall be required prior to funding of a project with funds received under this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-603 Account created.

There is created a wildlife/livestock disease research partnership account. Funds from this account shall be used only for purposes specified in W.S. 11-19-601 through 11-19-605. Any interest earned on the account shall remain within the account.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-604 Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan.

(a) The Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan shall be developed and maintained by rule and regulation as provided in this section to address potential conflicts arising out of the interaction between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep within the state. The final report and recommendations from the Wyoming state-wide bighorn/domestic sheep interaction working group dated September 2004 together with appendices A through N as adopted by the group is adopted as the initial Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan under this section and shall continue as revised or amended until repealed or nullified pursuant to law. (b) Rules and regulations necessary to administer this article shall be promulgated jointly by the game and fish commission, the board of agriculture and the livestock board. The game and fish commission, the board of agriculture and the livestock board may jointly consider recommendations for changes to the plan and may revise or amend the plan through the rulemaking process pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act. (c) The goal of the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan shall be to maintain the health of bighorn sheep populations while sustaining an economically viable domestic sheep population. (d) The most current version of the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan shall be published on the website of the game and fish commission. (e) In conformance with the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan the game and fish department may relocate or remove bighorn sheep to another area of the state if a federal judicial action or agency decision would require elimination of domestic sheep grazing in any area or herd unit designated in the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan as a nonemphasis herd. The game and fish department shall be reimbursed for the costs of relocation or removal of sheep under this subsection from funds available in the wildlife/livestock disease research partnership account.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 11-19-605 Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep relocation and removal; legislative findings; reimbursement; attorney general action.

(a) The legislature finds and declares that it is the state's policy to vigorously defend its interests in maintaining and enhancing viable livestock grazing operations on public lands in conjunction with the conservation and maintenance of healthy bighorn sheep populations in the state of Wyoming. These two (2) policies are mutually compatible as demonstrated since the adoption of the collaboratively developed Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan in 2004, which was codified into law under W.S. 11-19-604 in 2015. The legislature further finds and declares that: (i) Reintroduction of bighorn sheep and management action to protect existing populations of bighorn sheep on federal public lands has been effectively accomplished in conformance with the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan; (ii) It is the policy of the state of Wyoming to accept any risk of contact between bighorn sheep and livestock in the vicinity of any bighorn sheep transplant or relocation and to hold livestock producers harmless in the event such contact occurs; (iii) All wildlife in the state of Wyoming is the property of the state, and it is the policy of the state to provide an adequate and flexible system for control, propagation, management, protection and regulation of all Wyoming wildlife; (iv) Any removal of bighorn sheep from the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit under this act shall not be attributable to domestic livestock grazing on federal bureau of land management administered lands. Rather, the removal of bighorn sheep shall be directly attributable to: (A) Onerous federal regulation that unduly impedes the state of Wyoming's ability to manage wildlife and domestic livestock grazing in conformance with the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan; (B) Third-party action designed to use bighorn sheep as a means of eliminating domestic livestock grazing on bureau of land management administered lands within or in the vicinity of the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit. (v) The provisions of this section shall be enforced by the state. (b) In conformance with the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan in W.S. 11-19-604 and pursuant to W.S. 23-1-103, the game and fish department shall relocate or remove all bighorn sheep from the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit if any federal judicial action or federal agency action requires or indicates it may require the following: (i) The elimination, reduction or suspension of domestic livestock grazing or trailing in the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit; or (ii) Any changes to a United States bureau of land management resource management plan, grazing allotment plan or livestock grazing permit terms and conditions due to the presence of bighorn sheep in the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit or grazing allotment in that vicinity that is not in a designated bighorn sheep herd unit after July 1, 2024 without the consent of the grazing permittee. (c) Any relocation or removal of bighorn sheep from the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit required by subsection (b) of this section shall commence as soon as practicable but not later than six (6) months after the Wyoming department of agriculture certifies to the governor that a condition specified in subsection (b) of this section is met. The governor shall notify the game and fish department that the removal of bighorn sheep from the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit shall commence in accordance with this section. (d) The game and fish department shall be responsible for the expedient removal of bighorn sheep that stray outside the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit if that straying or foray is not into another designated bighorn sheep herd unit. (e) The state and its agencies shall coordinate and assist the Wyoming congressional delegation in pursuing changes to federal law, rules and policies in order to bring them into conformance with the policies and findings of the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan created under W.S. 11-19-604. (f) The Wyoming game and fish department shall not seek to change, alter or otherwise affect changes to domestic livestock grazing authorization on public and state lands due to the presence of bighorn sheep in the Sweetwater Rocks herd unit or grazing allotments in that vicinity that are not within an existing bighorn sheep herd unit. (g) The game and fish department shall be reimbursed for the costs of relocation or removal of bighorn sheep pursuant to subsection (b) of this section from any available funds in the wildlife/livestock disease research partnership account created by W.S. 11-19-603. (h) With the approval of the governor, the attorney general shall seek to intervene in any lawsuit if a federal action is contrary to the state's policy regarding Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section or that is inconsistent with the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan. (j) With the approval of the governor, the attorney general shall file an action against any federal agency to stop the enforcement, administration or implementation of any federal agency rule, instructional memo, handbook or other action taken by a federal agency if the rule, instructional memo, handbook or other action is contrary to the Wyoming bighorn/domestic sheep plan or is otherwise contrary to law.
Source: WY Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title11.pdfFetched: 10/4/2026

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