On April 14th, 2011, Governor Haslem signed into effect the “Bovine Liability Law”. For beef cattle producers this means if they maintain proper fences, post and maintain appropriate warning signs and don’t commit any willful or wanton acts that disregard the safety of other people, they (the producer) shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death of a person resulting from the inherent risks of bovine activities. The code further defines “activities” as:
(A) grazing, herding, feeding, branding, milking or any other activity that involves the care or maintenance of bovine
(B) bovine shows, fairs, competitions or auctions
(C) bovine training or teaching activities
(D) boarding bovine; or
(E) riding, inspecting, or evaluating bovine
The sign that you must have posted is very specific, it must have black letters with each letter a minimum of 1 inch in height and contain the following words:
WARNING
Under Tennessee Law, a bovine owner is not liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death of a person resulting from the inherent risks of bovine activities, pursuant to Tennessee code Annotated, Title 44, Chapter 21
The signs shall be placed in clearly visible locations on or near stables, corrals, fences, enclosures or arenas where the owner conducts bovine activities. If you have more than one working facility or corral, you will want to post a sign at each one.
You can have the signs printed but it must be in accordance with the above guidelines or the Tennessee Junior Angus Association has information and signs available for purchase ready for hanging. The funds raised from these signs will benefit the 2012 National Junior Angus Show in Louisville, KY. The Tennessee Junior Angus Association is co-hosting the 2012 NJAS with Kentucky and Ohio. “The National Junior Angus Show is an exciting event for Angus youth and their families across the country,” says Robin Ruff, junior activities director for the American Angus Association ®. “It is more than just a traditional cattle show. It’s an event that challenges youth to build life skills and develop long-lasting relationships.” If you have any questions, please contact Loretta Davis, Secretary of the Tennessee Angus Association, at 931-205-7230 or email: tnangus@gmail.com.
