Code of Massachusetts Regulations
330 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Title 330 CMR 16.00 - Horses
Section 16.04 - Dealing in and the Transportation of Equine Animals

(a) No Person shall engage in the Regular business of selling, dealing, auctioning or transporting equine animals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts unless licensed by the Department.

(b) Any Person desiring to apply for a livestock dealer-transporter license shall submit, on a form provided by the Department, an application and the appropriate fee.

(c) Upon receipt of a completed application for a license, the Department shall inspect the applicant's facilities and vehicles. If the Department finds the facilities and vehicles in compliance with 330 CMR 16.04(2)(a) through (i) and (3)(a) and (b), the Department may issue a livestock dealer-transporter license.

(d) All livestock dealer-transporter licensees will be issued a metal license plate by the Department. The license plate will be valid for the term of the Livestock Dealer-Transporter license. If the license is revoked at any time, the license plate must be returned to the Department.

(e) No livestock dealer-transporter licensee shall transport an equine animal in any vehicle unless the driver's side of the vehicle bears a metal livestock dealer-transporter license plate issued by the Department.

(f) Livestock dealer-transporter licenses for equines shall expire on October 31st following the date of issuance.

(g) All licensees shall post their license at a permanent location in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a place prominently visible to the public.

(h) The Department may deny a license to any applicant whose facilities or vehicles fail to comply with 330 CMR 16.04(2)(a) through (i) and (3)(a) and (b). Any applicant whose license has been denied may submit a written request for a hearing within 14 business days following notification of the Department's decision to deny the license.

(i) The Department may revoke or suspend a license after a M.G.L. c. 30A hearing and upon finding that the licensee has:

(a) Maintain all areas where equines are kept in a safe and sanitary condition;

(b) Have equipment available for any necessary storage or disposal of waste material to control vermin, insects or obnoxious odors;

(c) Provide adequate shelter for the comfort of all equines on the premises;

(d) Take all reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of infectious or contagious diseases;

(e) Clean stalls daily or more frequently to ensure their sanitary condition;

(f) Ensure that box stalls are of adequate size such that the equine contained therein shall have room to stand and lie down comfortably;

(g) Equines are housed without overcrowding and in groups of compatible temperament and gender;

(h) Provide sufficient fresh food of a type and amount consistent with the dietary requirements and age of the horse at least twice daily; and

(i) Ensure that fresh, clean water is available to all equines.

(a) No licensee shall maintain any equine in a vehicle within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a period of time exceeding ten hours without the equine being off-loaded and placed in a stable or shaded pasture.

(b) Licensees shall ensure that:

(a) All licensees shall maintain records and interstate bills of lading for a period of 90 days from the date of sale or transport. All records shall be maintained at the location where the license is posted. All records shall include the following information:

(b) All premises, vehicles and records shall be open during reasonable business hours to the Department, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Rescue League.