Rules for carrying animals in vehicles

(a) For the purposes of this section, the term “vehicle” includes a “trailer” and “semitrailer” as those terms are defined in § 15-2.28 ; “cattle” includes any of the bovine animals, including those bred for beef, and cows, bulls, steers, and oxen; and “horse” includes any of the equine animals, including any pony, mule, or donkey. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c), no dog or any other animal shall be transported on any public street or highway in any vehicle unless such animal is totally enclosed within such vehicle, within a secured container carried upon such vehicle, or securely cross-tethered to such vehicle in such a way as to prevent the animal from falling out of or off such vehicle, and to prevent injury to the animal. (c) Horses or cattle that are transported on any public street or highway shall be carried within enclosed vehicles. A vehicle is enclosed, even if it provides openings for ventilation, so long as the horses or cattle cannot fall or jump off of or out of the vehicle through any of its openings. (d) If a conflict arises between this section and rules adopted by the State department of agriculture or the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the rules of the State department of agriculture or the U.S. Department of Agriculture shall control.