Montana Title 81. Livestock § 81-9-315. Production of dead or fallen animal record on demand--animal not to be removed during transportation--investigation

(1) On demand of a livestock inspector, sheriff, undersheriff, deputy sheriff, or other peace officer, a licensed renderer or the renderer's agent who has received a dead or fallen animal shall produce for inspection an executed dead or fallen animal record identifying each dead or fallen animal that the renderer or agent is transporting when the demand is made. Failure to produce the executed dead or fallen animal record on demand constitutes a misdemeanor punishable as provided in 81-9-317.

(2) Under no circumstances may a licensed renderer or the renderer's agent endanger the public health by removing or being required to remove any dead or fallen animals from the vehicle in which they are being transported until the vehicle arrives at a licensed rendering plant where the dead or fallen animal must be handled and disposed of in conformity with the rules of the department.

(3) If a livestock inspector, sheriff, undersheriff, deputy sheriff, or other peace officer has probable cause to believe the dead or fallen animals being transported by a licensed renderer or the renderer's agent were obtained by a commission of a felony, the officer may take the licensed renderer or the renderer's agent, as well as the vehicle, into custody and proceed with the licensed renderer or the renderer's agent to the rendering plant of the licensed renderer, where inspection of marks and brands and immediate investigation must be made.