Road Enforcement & Animal Stops

• 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 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.

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
  • 21703, (F & A) – Incomplete documents
  • 21705, (F & A) – No documents
• 2. Horses, Mules, Burros – Not citable unless being transported to slaughter
• 3. Sheep – 23981,(F & A)
• 4. Poultry – 26603, (F & A)
• 5. Swine – Not citabl

Authority To Seize If Documents Seem Suspicious, Or If 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)

• 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 isresponsible 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).