PRESUMPTION OF OWNERSHIP OR CARE

(a) If an inspector determines that a person is the owner, part owner, or caretaker of animals subject to treatment and an order to treat is issued and served, it is presumed that, at the time of a failure to treat, the person was still the owner, part owner, or caretaker of animals subject to treatment located on the premises described in the order. In that case, the state is required to prove only that the person was the owner, part owner, or caretaker of animals subject to treatment located on the premises at the time the order was served. (b) After the service of an order to treat, if there are no longer any animals subject to treatment located on the premises and if no animals subject to treatment have been illegally removed, the defendant may file a sworn statement of that fact at the beginning of the trial. If the defendant does not file that statement, it is presumed that the defendant's status as owner, part owner, or caretaker remained unchanged since the service of the order.