§19-2E-1. Title

This article shall be known by the short title of "The Humane Slaughter Act of 1982."

§19-2E-2. Declaration of Purpose

The purpose of this article is to restrict the methods used to slaughter cattle, sheep, swine and goats in commercial slaughtering establishments in West Virginia to those approved as humane techniques.

§19-2E-3. Definitions

As used in this article: (a) "Commercial slaughtering establishments" means a person engaged for profit in this state in the business of slaughtering or dressing animals for human consumption which are to be sold or offered for sale through a commercial outlet or establishment; (b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture of the State of […]

§19-2E-4. Commissioner to Enforce Article; Rules and Regulations; Effective Date

The commissioner shall administer and enforce the provisions of this article and shall have authority to issue regulations, after a public hearing, following due notice to all interested persons in conformance with the provisions of the state administrative procedures as set forth in chapter twenty- nine-a of this code, to carry out the provisions of […]

§19-2E-5. Methods of Humane Slaughter

(a) Livestock, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast or cut must be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow, gunshot or by electrical, chemical or other means that is safe, rapid and effective; or (b) By slaughtering in accordance with the ritual requirements of the Jewish faith or any other religious faith that prescribes […]

§19-2E-6. Penalties

Any person violating any provision of this article or regulations adopted hereunder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500, and for the second offense, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $500 […]

§19-2E-7. Severability

If any provision of this article or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the article which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of the article are declared to be severable.