Any owner or person having charge of any animal and having knowledge of, or reasonable grounds to suspect the existence among them of any contamination or contagious or infectious disease and who does not use reasonable means to prevent the spread of such contamination or disease or violates any quarantine; or who conveys upon or along any public highway or other public grounds or any private lands, any contaminated or diseased animal, or animal known to have died of, or been slaughtered on account of, any contamination or contagious or infectious disease, except in the case of transportation for medical treatment or diagnosis, shall be liable in damages to the person or persons who may have suffered loss on account thereof.