§ 31503 Dog Damage To Livestock

Food and Agricultural Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•If a dog hurts or kills your farm animals (like cows or chickens), you can ask the court for money to cover your loss.
•You have to go to the court in the same county where the dog caused the problem.
•This is a small case, not a big trial.

Example

Your neighbor's dog attacks your chickens and kills three of them.

You can go to your local court and ask the judge to make your neighbor pay you for the chickens that were killed.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 31503 Dog Damage To Livestock

If any person sustains any loss or damage to any livestock or poultry which is caused by a dog, or if any livestock of any person is necessarily destroyed because of having been bitten by a dog, the person may file a complaint in the superior court of the county within which the damage occurred. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case. (Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 784, Sec. 118. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

livestock poultry limited civil case

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 31503.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References