Road Enforcement & Animal Stops
- Animal stops for road enforcement
- Documents required when transporting livestock
- Paperwork requirements
Animal stops for road enforcement
Road Enforcement activities have been mandated through the California legislature by the Livestock Industry to deter theft.
How do livestock stops and Livestock Transportation Report writing aid in theft enforcement and prevention?
The thief is most vulnerable when he's transporting stolen cattle on a public thoroughfare.
- Sections 20438 /23043 (a) of the California Food and Agricultural Code give all peace officers the authority to stop any vehicle hauling cattle or horses for the purpose of making an investigation.
- Detection and enforcement of the California Food and Agricultural Code sections enacted to protect the livestock industry can be evidenced from the paperwork required to accompany the load.
Violations consist of misdemeanors and felonies.
Local Brand Supervisors and Brand Inspectors are available to assist in your investigations and provide care for animals in the event of a seizure.
This handbook has been compiled for your use as a field reference guide.
Documents required when transporting livestock
Species Specific Code Sections
- 1. Cattle 20438, (F & A)
- 2. Horses, Mules, Burros, Sheep 23043, (a) (F & A)
- 3. Poultry 26603, (F & A)
- 4. Swine 26603, (F & A)
Documents Required for Transportation
-
1. Cattle
Brand
Inspection Certificate, Bill of Sale or Consignment, Saleyard
Outbilling, Permit, Fair Certificate, Health Certificate See
details on reverse side
-
2. Horses, Mules, Burros
No documents
required at this time unless destined for slaughter
-
3. Sheep
Bill of
Lading containing the name of the owner of the sheep and
destination of the sheep
-
4. Poultry
Must
carry a record containing all of the following:
- Point of origin & destination
- Names and addresses of the shipper and consignee
- The kind and quantity of poultry being transported
-
5. Swine
No
documents required at this time
Sections to Cite for Non-Compliance
- 1. Cattle
- 2. Horses, Mules, Burros – Not citable unless being transported to slaughter
- 3. Sheep – 23981,(F & A)
- 4. Poultry – 26603, (F & A)
- 5. Swine – Not citable
Authority to Seize if Documents seem Suspicious, not in
Possession
(if required) or Officer is Suspicious of Circumstances of Transport
or Ownership
- 1. Cattle - Live / Hides / Parts / or Carcass hide on – 20438, (F & A)
- 2. Horses, Mules, Burros as above – 23043, (b)(F & A)
- 3. Sheep as above – 23043 , (b)(F & A)
- 4. Poultry live animals – 26603, (F & A)
- 5. Swine – No specific section
Other Violations
- 1. Refusal to show documents of cattle transportation
-
- Cite – 20203 (F & A)
- Arrest – 148 (PC)
- 2. Inhumane transportation conditions – 597 (a), (PC)
- 3. Failure to care or provide for animals – 597 (f), (PC)
Paperwork Requirements
All transportation of cattle must have paperwork or documents to accompany the load.
They may include one or more of the following:
-
1. Bill of Sale or Consignment – Also known as a yellow slip (completed by owner/agent)
-
2. Brand Inspection Certificate (Numbered form) – or Supplemental Brand Inspection Certificate Completed by Brand Inspector at point of origin inspection
-
3. Saleyard Outbilling (Numbered form) – Bill of sale or certificate of sale with saleyard letterhead "receipt" (completed by saleyard)
-
4. Transportation Permit (Numbered form)
-
- Cattle leaving a registered feedlot transported out of state directly for immediate slaughter (completed by feedlot)
- Cattle transported across the California state line for a not more than 50 miles from origin to destination (completed by owner/agent)
- Cattle transported across a modified point-of-origin boundary for a distance not to exceed 40 miles from loading point to destination (completed by owner/agent)
-
5. Fair or Livestock Exhibit Certificate – Completed by Fair Manager or Official
-
6. Health Certificate (Numbered form) – Cattle entering California from a state without a brand inspection program (completed by licensed veterinarian)
A Bill of Sale or Consignment is a State issued form and is usually completed by the owner or agent for the shipment. It is required for consignment of cattle to a saleyard, feedlot, or slaughterhouse (all of which are destination inspection sites).
Also, it is required when no inspection is necessary, but cattle are being transported for pasture purposes within the State of California only. Pursuant to Section 21703 (F & A) , the form Shall be used and Shall contain ALL of the following information:
-
The date of sale or consignment.
-
The loading point.
-
The name and address of the owner or consignor, or both.
-
The destination.
-
The number and description of the animals including their brands, if any.
-
The name and address of the buyer or consignee, or both.
-
The name of the transporter or carrier and the license number of the vehicle used to transport the animals
-
The signature of the owner or his authorized agent.
If the hauler has a Bill of Sale or Consignment or other listed documents, he is not in violation of 21705 (F & A).
If the documents, Certificate or Bill of Sale are not completely filled out or are inaccurate, there is a violation. The transporter is responsible for having documents, but only the shipper is responsible for the accuracy of the information required in the document. Inaccurate or incomplete documents are a violation of 21703 (F & A).
Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Bureau of Livestock Identification
1220 N Street, Room A-130
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-0889
Fax: (916) 653-5190
or send an email to the bureau: bliinfo@cdfa.ca.gov