CONTROL OF DRUG ABUSE IN DRAFT HORSES 



During the fiscal year 1979, the second year during which some 

 implementation of the law forbidding the drugging of draft or compet- 

 itive pulling horses occurred, testing was done at a nxamber of fairs 

 by members of the field staff and was very well received by the 

 competitors. The tests themselves were conducted by the West 

 Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. A great 

 deal of interest has been expressed in this program and it has been 

 expanded to consider oxen as well as horses and ponies. 



RABIES CONTROL 



The Division of Animal Health cooperates with each town in the 

 appointment of city /town animal inspectors who conduct an annual 

 animal census for the division and quarantine any and all animals 

 known to have bitten a person. Seven thousand, six hvmdred and five 

 quarantines were issued in 1979. No dogs were found to have been 

 rabid. The increasing incidence of skunk-bite raises a real question 

 as to the suitability of these animals as pets. 



PET SHOP LICENSING 



In 1979 there were 238 pet shops licensed. This program is 

 designed to provide better care and better health for pet shop 

 animals. The inspecting agency is the Massachusetts Society for the 

 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 



FINANCIAL REPORT 



The 1979 budget for the Division of Animal Health administration 

 account was $363,000. Late in the year there was a deficiency in 

 the -03 subsidiary from which area veterinarians are paid on a fee 

 basis for calfhood vaccination. Tuberculosis testing. Brucellosis 

 testing and other consultancy tasks. The stun of $17,000 was assigned 

 to cover this subsidiary deficiency. Legislation requiring state 

 payment for mandatory calfhood vaccinations was passed in 1978 

 without special funding, resulting in the above deficiency. A total 

 of $155,000 was also appropriated in the FY 1979 budget for use in 

 animal indemnity pajnnents required by the control of certain diseases 

 (Bovine Brucellosis and Tuberculosis, mainly.) 



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