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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 9Pt. 1Ch. 7Art. 1§ 17003 Livestock Impoundment Notification Rules

§ 17003 Livestock Impoundment Notification Rules

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 17003 Livestock Impoundment Notification Rules

This law says local rules about stray animals stay the same unless this law says otherwise, and when certain farm animals are taken by animal control, they must tell the secretary who then takes charge of the animal.

Key Takeaways

  • •Local stray‑animal laws keep working unless this law changes them.
  • •When a cow, horse, mule, sheep, pig, burro, alpaca, llama, or goat is impounded, the shelter must notify the secretary immediately.
  • •The secretary then takes ownership and manages that farm animal.
  • •Cities can still follow their own stray‑animal rules for animals that aren’t those farm animals.
  • •The law does not let anyone break Penal Code §597.

Example

A goat wanders onto a city street and animal control picks it up.

The animal control officer must call the secretary right away, and the secretary then becomes responsible for the goat under this law. The city can still use its own rules for stray cats or dogs.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 17003 Livestock Impoundment Notification Rules

(a) Except as provided in this section, this chapter does not affect any law, ordinance, or regulation regarding estrays, the shelter director, other animal control officer, or a public animal control agency or shelter within the limits of any city or county where those laws, ordinances, or regulations are in force. (b) Upon the impounding of any bovine animal, horse, mule, sheep, swine, burro, alpaca, llama, or goat, the shelter director, other animal control officer, or public animal control agency or shelter shall immediately notify the secretary. Upon receipt of that notice, the secretary shall take possession of any bovine animal and shall manage it pursuant to this chapter. (c) Any city, county, or city and county that establishes or has established laws, ordinances, or regulations regarding estrays, may opt to follow those laws, ordinances, or regulations instead of this chapter in the handling of estrays that are not bovine animals in accordance with the applicable laws, ordinances, or regulations of the city, county, or city and county. (d) This section does not authorize any act that violates Section 597 of the Penal Code. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 7, Sec. 5. (AB 1553) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

estraysshelter directoranimal control officerpublic animal control agencybovine animalsecretary

Related Statutes

  • § 17001.5 Lost Livestock Definition
  • § 12101 Pest Control Dealer Licensing
  • § 12101.5 Pest Control Supervisor Requirements
  • § 12102 Pesticide Agency Exemption
  • § 12103 Pesticide License Application Fees

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 17003.
View Official Source