Washington State House Bill #1093

[highcountry]

HB1093, AN ACT Relating to eliminating the brand inspection requirements for horses apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1093.pdf

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 16.57 RCW to read as follows: Any requirements of this chapter relating to brands, brand inspection, or other ownership inspection requirements do not apply to the ownership or movement of horses. The department may not require the owner or possessor of a horse to present the horse for a brand inspection upon movement, sale, importation into Washington, exportation out of Washington, or under any other circumstances.


Can anyone here explain to my why they would want to stop doing brand inspections on horses?

Thanks

[piopico]

Sounds fishy to me. I suppose 'microchip' registration falls under the same rule.........I got my horse 'chipped so he could be traced if he was ever stolen, but I guess Washington doesn't want to bother. I wonder if it has to do with checking the horses on their way to Canada for slaughter?

[highcountry]

I received the following response from Kathy Haigh, State Representative, sponsor of the bill.

First, Oregon and California are no longer doing it for horses. It makes no sense if we are the only place doing it. The eastern states have never done it.
People pay 5 dollars for a brand inspection even if the horse has no brand and I have no idea how much it costs for the state to handle the paperwork on horses that have no brand. I would say one in about 75 horses has a brand and there must then be a paper trail to prove ownership. If they do not have that information it holds up the whole process of issuing a health certificate. The brand is no longer effective compared to a microchip. And we could all have a registration for our horses even if we do not have a registered brand.
We no longer eat horses, and a health certificate should be all we need to ship a horse over state lines. The main value of that is a Coggins test that actually is an important disease to be monitored.
There is no treatment and no vaccine for Equine infectious anemia.
If someone steals your horse you should contact the police, not your veterinarian. And would you like to know how many stolen horses were returned to the rightful owner through brand inspections? It is not enough to justify the cost to clients and the state. If you have a horse you want permanent identification get it micro chipped. I would be happy to add that when a health certificate is issued the horse must be scanned for a chip. That could be an effective tracking system that could actually get your horse returned to you if stolen.
I guess this is actually a move into the 21st century. I hope this is helpful. If you have more concerns please let me know. I would be happy to change language in the legislation to find compromise but I sincerely believe this is the time for change.
Thanks
Kathy