1. A. If any animal has given a positive reaction to the official brucellosis test, and the reaction was not caused by official vaccination, the State Board of Agriculture shall declare the animal to be infected with brucellosis and shall immediately notify the person who drew the blood sample for the test, who shall place a permanent brand on the tailhead of each affected animal with the letter "B", which shall be not less than three (3) inches in height, and affix a metal tag, inscribed "Brucellosis Reactor", to the left ear of the animal.
2. B. Animals that are part of a known infected herd shall be treated as exposed. Any such animal destined for feeding or slaughter purposes shall be permanently branded on the tailhead with the letter "S". The brand shall be not less than two (2) inches in height and width and shall be affixed by the person who drew the blood sample by which the reactor was detected. The branding fee shall be paid by the seller of the animal. Each packing plant in this state shall collect and identify a blood sample with all identification tags, as provided by the Board, from each bovine animal that shows the presence of first central incisors.
3. C. The owner of exposed animals or reactors shall present the animals for branding or tagging within fifteen (15) days after receiving notice of reaction or exposure. The failure of an owner to comply with the requirements of this subsection shall be a misdemeanor.
4. D. The removal of any permanent mark or brand, including metal ear tags, from any animal with a reportable disease or those classified as diseased in a herd being depopulated, without prior authorization from the State Board of Agriculture, shall be a felony.

Laws 1955, HB 505, p. 47, art. 6(E), § 4; Amended by Laws 1967, HB 909, c. 393, § 4, emerg. eff. May 23, 1967; Amended by Laws 1974, SB 527, c. 77, § 1, emerg. eff. April 19, 1974; Amended by Laws 1976, SB 675, c. 107, § 1, emerg. eff. May 12, 1976; Amended by Laws 1979, HB 1187, c. 87, § 2; Amended by Laws 1996, c. 138, § 5, emerg. eff. May 1, 1996; Amended by Laws 1997, HB 1213, c. 133, § 85 (effective date amended to July 1, 1999, by Laws 1998, 1st Extr. Sess., HB 1002, c. 2, §§ 23-26, emerg. eff. June 19, 1998) (superseded document available).