MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS IN VIOLATION OF QUARANTINE

(a) A person commits an offense if the person moves, or as owner, part owner, or caretaker permits the movement of, animals from any land, premises, or enclosure that is under quarantine for tick infestation or exposure in violation of the quarantine without a permit issued by an inspector of the commission or of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. (b) A railroad or other transportation company commits an offense if it permits an animal to enter stock pens in the tick eradication area under the company's control without a written certificate or permit from an inspector of the commission or of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture. (c) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor for each animal moved, permitted to move, or permitted to enter the pen unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the defendant has been previously convicted under this section, in which event the offense is a Class B misdemeanor. (d) Except as provided by this subsection, a person commits a separate offense under Subsection (a) for each county into which animals are moved within 30 days following the day on which the animals leave the county in which they were quarantined. A person does not commit an offense for a county if the person complied with the requirements of this chapter prior to entry into that county.