Definitions

As used in this article: (a) "Biosecurity" means measures, actions or precautions taken to prevent the transmission of disease in, among or between free-ranging and captive cervids. (b) "Captive cervid" or the plural means a member of the Cervidae family of animals including, but not limited to, fallow deer, red deer, white-tailed deer, axis deer, elk, moose, reindeer and caribou which are domesticated animals under the control of the owner of the animal. (c) "Captive cervid farming facility", "facility" or the plural means the captive cervids, property, fenced area, operations and equipment regulated and licensed by the department pursuant to this article. (d) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. (e) "Department" means the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. (f) "Identification system" means a process or procedure that allows an individual cervid to be continuously recognized as a unique animal throughout its lifetime. (g) "License" means the authorization issued by the department for the operation of a captive cervid farming facility pursuant to this article. (h) "Owner" means the person who owns or operates a captive cervid farming facility. (i) "Person" means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, joint venture or other legal entity. (j) "Release" means to allow a cervid from a licensed captive cervid farming facility to be outside the perimeter fence of that licensed captive cervid farming facility without being under the direct control of the owner or his or her agent.