VMD 511: Animal Welfare, Ethics and Jurisprudence (2+0)

TRANSPORT OF CATTLE

• Rule 46: Rules 47 to 56 shall apply to the transport by rail of cows, bulls, bullocks, buffaloes, yaks and calves (hereinafter in these rules referred to as cattle).
• Rule 47
  • A valid certificate by a qualified veterinary surgeon to the effect that the cattle are in a fit condition to travel by rail or road and are not suffering from any infectious or contagious or parasitic diseases and that they have been vaccinated against rinderpest and any other infectious or contagious or parasitic diseases shall accompany each consignment.
  • In the absence of such a certificate, the carrier shall refuse to accept the consignment for transport.
  • The certificate shall be in the form specified in Schedule-E.
• Rule 48: Veterinary first -aid equipment shall accompany all batches of cattle.
• Rule 49
  • Each consignment shall bear a label showing in bold red letters the name, address and telephone number (if any) of the consignor and consignee the number and types of cattle being transported and quantity of rations and food provided.
  • The consignee shall be informed about the train or vehicle in which the consignment of cattle is being sent and its arrival time in advance.
  • The consignment of cattle shall be booked by the next train or vehicle and shall not be detained after the consignment is accepted for booking.
• Rule 50: The average space provided per cattle in Railway wagon or vehicle shall not be less than two square metres.
• Rule 51
  • Suitable rope and platforms should be used for loading cattle from vehicles.
  • In case of railway wagon the dropped door of the wagon may be used as a ramp when loading or unloading is done to the platform. 
• Rule 52: Cattle shall be loaded after they are properly fed and given water.
• Rule 53: Cattle in advanced stage of pregnancy shall not be mixed with young cattle in order to avoid stampede during transportation.
• Rule 54:
  • Watering arrangements on route shall be made and sufficient quantities of water shall be carried for emergency.
  • Sufficient feed and fodder with adequate reserve shall be carried to last during the journey.
  • Adequate ventilation shall be ensured.
• Rule 55: When cattle is to be transported by rail:
  • An ordinary goods wagon shall carry not more than ten adult cattle or fifteen calves on broad gauge, not more than six adult cattle or ten calves on metre guage, or not more than four adult cattle or six calves on narrow gauge.
  • Every wagon carrying cattle shall have at least one attendant.
  • Cattle shall be loaded parallel to the rails, facing each other.
  • Rations for padding, such as straw, shall be placed on the floor to avoid injury if a cattle lies down and this shall not be less than 6cms thick.
  • Rations for the journey shall be carried in the middle of the wagon.
  • To provide adequate ventilation, upper door of one side of the wagon shall be kept open properly fixed and the upper door of the wagon shall have wire gauge closely welded mesh arrangements to prevent burning cindars from the engines entering the wagon and leading to fire outbreak.
  • Cattle wagons should be attached in the middle of the train.
  • Cooking shall not be allowed in the wagons nor hurricane lamps without chimneys.
  • Two breast bars shall be provided on each side of the wagon, one at height of 60 to 80 cm and the other at 100 at 110 cm.
  • Cattle-in-milk shall be milked at least twice a day and the calves shall be given sufficient quantity of milk to drink.
  • As far as possible, cattle may be moved during the nights only.
  • During daytime, if possible, they should be unloaded, fed, given water and rested and if in milk, milking shall be carried out.
• Rule 56: When cattle are to be transported by goods vehicle the following precautions are to be taken namely:
  • Specially fitted goods vehicles with a special type of tail board and padding around the sides should be used;
  • Ordinary goods vehicles shall be provided with anti-slipping material, such as coir matting or wooden board on the floor and the superstructure, if low, should be raised;
  • No goods vehicle shall carry more than six cattle;
  • Each goods vehicle shall be provided with one attendant.
  • While transporting the cattle, the goods vehicle shall not be loaded with any other merchandise; and
  • To prevent cattle being frightened or injured, they should preferably face the engine.