Section 24101.

24101. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Equine Protection Act of 1991. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24102.

24102. For purposes of this chapter: (a) “Animal” means a horse, pony, mule, or burro. (b) “Program” means the program of equine protection and identification of the department. (c) “Slaughter” means to kill an animal and prepare it for consumption by animals or human beings. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24103.

24103. There is in the department a program of equine protection and identification. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24104.

24104. Each sheriff or other officer to whom a complaint that relates to the loss or theft of any animal is made shall, in a timely manner, transmit to the Bureau of Livestock Identification a report that contains all of the following: (a) A complete description of each animal lost or stolen including approximate age, height, […]

Section 24104.5.

24104.5. The Bureau of Livestock Identification shall compile a report on information received pursuant to Section 24104. The bureau shall distribute the report to all county sheriffs’ departments in a timely manner. (Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 431, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1995.)

Section 24105.

24105. No investigator of the program or any other employee of the department, in enforcing this chapter, shall be required to conduct any investigation that involves the theft of any animal. That investigation shall be conducted by the law enforcement entity that filed the theft report. However, an investigator of the program may assist the […]

Section 24106.

24106. (a) Before an animal may be sold at an auction, the operator of the auction yard shall determine whether the animal has an implanted microchip or has been tattooed or branded with an identifying mark. If the animal has an implanted microchip, a tattoo, or a brand, the operator of the auction yard shall post, […]

Section 24107.

24107. Every operator of an auction yard or dealer who handles animals destined for slaughter shall keep a written record of all sales and purchases made in the course of conducting the business for at least two years after making the final entry of any purchase, sale, or donation of an animal. The operator of […]

Section 24108.

24108. Any person who does not keep the written records required by this chapter or who refuses, upon demand of any investigator of the program or any peace officer, to show the record, to allow copies to be made of the record, or who destroys the record within two years after making the final entry […]

Section 24109.

24109. (a) No animal, whether branded or not, shall be shipped, transported, hauled, or delivered for slaughter, unless it is inspected by an inspector of the program. (b) As part of the inspection required by this section, the inspector shall be provided a valid bill of sale containing the information designated in Section 24106 for each individual […]

Section 24110.

24110. An inspector shall seize any animal for which a valid bill of sale containing the information designated in Section 24106 is not provided. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24111.

24111. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to remove from the possession of an inspector any animal seized or which is otherwise in the possession of an inspector. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24112.

24112. If the animal which is seized or otherwise in the possession of the inspector is branded, the director shall cause a search to be made of the brand records to ascertain the owner. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24113.

24113. If the brands or marks are recorded, the director shall immediately, by letter, notify the person in whose name the brands or marks are recorded. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24114.

24114. If the owner cannot be ascertained, the director shall cause a notice of the seizure of the animal to remain posted for a period of 14 days on a bulletin board in each office of the Bureau of Livestock Identification. In addition to posting the notice, the director shall periodically publish a list of […]

Section 24115.

24115. Any person that claims ownership of the animal may, at any time, but not later than 14 days after the first posting of the notice, file his or her proof of ownership with the director and the director shall proceed to determine the claim of ownership. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24116.

24116. If ownership is proved to the satisfaction of the director, the animal shall be returned to the owner upon payment by the owner of all expenses which were incurred in the handling of the animal. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)

Section 24117.

24117. If the animal at any time while in the possession of an inspector is in a condition which requires immediate disposal, the animal may be disposed of by the director. The proceeds from the salvage, if any, in excess of expenses which were incurred in the handling of the animal shall be paid to […]

Section 24118.

24118. If after 14 days from the date of the first posting of notice, no satisfactory proof of ownership of the animal has been made, or if the owner fails or refuses to pay all expenses which were incurred, the director shall sell the animal. All sales which are made pursuant to this chapter convey […]

Section 24119.

24119. The proceeds from the sale of any animal shall be paid into, and the expenses of holding, advertising, sale, and other incidental expenses shall be paid from, the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund. (Added by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 2.)