Tenn. Code Ann. § 44-2-102 (2026)

The commissioner and the state veterinarian have the general supervision of all animals within or that may be in transit through the state, and they are empowered to:

• (1) Establish a quarantine against any animal or animals within or entering the state;

• (2) Enter any premises in which animals are likely kept for the purpose of examining, inspecting or testing for the purpose of disease control;

• (3) Prohibit or regulate the importation of animals into this state whenever it is necessary to protect the health of animals in Tennessee;

• (4) Order tests or vaccinations of animals within the state or imported into the state for the purpose of protecting the health of animals in Tennessee;

• (5) Order the destruction and sanitary disposition of any animal, whenever, in the opinion of the state veterinarian, the interests of the state are best served by the destruction of that animal. This destruction may be ordered only for control of any animal disease for which the state has a control program, or for any animal disease not known to exist in the United States;

• (6) Order the sanitary disposition of any dead animal. The owner of such animal shall be liable for its disposition;

• (7) Stop and inspect or examine vehicles likely to be hauling animals for the purposes of disease control and determining compliance with this chapter;

• (8) Order the cleaning and disinfection of any premises, vehicle or equipment for the purpose of animal disease control;

• (9) Promulgate in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, all rules and regulations necessary to carry out this chapter;

• (10) Impose in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, civil penalties of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter;

• (11) Cooperate with the government of the United States and may designate employees of USDA as agents of the department in carrying out the purposes of this chapter;

• (12) Call upon other law enforcement agencies for assistance when the public safety and welfare is threatened; and

• (13) File suit in a court of competent jurisdiction for the purpose of enjoining the further violation of this chapter.

Acts 1993, ch. 109, § 1; T.C.A. § 44-2-1302.