Health of Animals Regulations

139 (1) No person shall beat an animal being loaded or unloaded in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to it.

(2) No person shall load or unload, or cause to be loaded or unloaded, an animal in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to it.

(3) Every ramp, gangway, chute, box or other apparatus used by a carrier in loading or unloading animals shall be so maintained and used as not to cause injury or undue suffering to animals and where livestock is loaded or unloaded by a ramp, gangway, chute or other apparatus, the slope shall not be greater than 45 degrees.

(4) Every ramp and gangway used by a carrier in loading or unloading animals shall have sides of sufficient strength and height to prevent animals from falling off the ramp or gangway.

(5) Every ramp used by a carrier in loading or unloading animals shall be so placed that no unprotected gap exists between the ramp or either side thereof and the railway car, motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft.

(6) Subject to subsection (7), every motor vehicle and aircraft in which livestock is transported shall be provided by the carrier with a loading gate or chute that is

• (a) fitted with safe and secure footholds; and

• (b) suitable for the loading and unloading of livestock.

(7) Subsection (6) does not apply to an aircraft equipped for the loading of livestock in containers.