Inspection of cattle consists of the examination of the cattle for all brands and marks, and, in the case of unbranded cattle, for natural marks, sex, and breed. It also includes the issuance of a certificate of inspection.
Inspection of CattleProcedure
Section § 21171
This law requires that when cattle are inspected, they must be checked for any brands and marks. For cattle without brands, inspectors look for natural features like marks, sex, and breed. After the inspection, a certificate of inspection is issued.
cattle inspection examine brands unbranded cattle
Section § 21172
If a person needs an inspection, they must inform the inspector. The inspector should then conduct the inspection as soon as reasonably possible after being notified.
If inspection is required, the person that requests the inspection shall notify the inspector. The inspector shall make his inspection as soon as practicable after he is notified.
inspection request inspection notification timely inspection
Section § 21172.2
This law allows the director to create a rule that requires people shipping cattle from certain areas for inspection at their destination to inform the local brand inspector before shipping. This requirement is aimed at preventing cattle theft or loss, and such a rule can only be established following a public hearing that proves its necessity.
The director may, by regulation, provide that any person who ships any cattle from a modified point-of-origin inspection area, for inspection at destination, is required to notify the local brand inspector prior to shipment of such cattle, if he finds, following a public hearing in the area, such requirement is needed to protect cattle owners from losses by theft or straying of their livestock.
cattle shipment modified point-of-origin local brand inspector notification
Section § 21172.5
This law ensures that cattle brand inspections are done without causing major disruptions to normal cattle raising activities. It emphasizes cooperation between the feedlot staff and the brand inspector to handle cattle in a way that does not harm them. However, it still allows for the brand inspections required by another section of the law.
The brand inspection of cattle as provided for in this chapter shall be conducted in such a way as to minimize the disruption of normal cattle raising operations. Both the feedlot management and personnel and the brand inspector shall jointly handle the cattle at a time and in a manner that is not detrimental to the livestock involved. However, nothing in this section shall prevent any cattle from being brand inspected pursuant to Section 21051.
brand inspection cattle feedlot management
Section § 21173
If asked, the person responsible for the animals must provide the inspector with a list of all the brands and markings on those animals, as accurately as they can.
If requested to do so, the person in charge of the animals shall furnish the inspector with a list of the brands and marks on them to the best of his ability.
animal brands animal markings inspector request
Section § 21174
If someone presents an animal for inspection and it doesn't have their recorded brand, they must show the inspector proof that they own the animal. This could be a bill of sale, a certificate of inspection, a dairy exemption number, or other ownership documentation.
If, upon inspection, there is found any animal which does not bear the recorded brand of the person that presents the animal for inspection, such person shall show the inspector a bill of sale, certificate of inspection, dairy exemption number, or other proof of ownership of such animal.
animal inspection recorded brand proof of ownership
Section § 21175
This law section states that the person shipping cattle must sort and identify any stray animals to the brand inspector before inspection. If stray animals are shipped without inspection or without the owner's knowledge, the shipper must cover any costs for their feed and transportation.
If the shipper fails to identify strays, they face penalties that increase with repeated violations within a year: $50 for the first, $100 for the second, $200 for the third, and $500 for the fourth or more violations per animal, payable to the Bureau of Livestock Identification. Each day of shipping counts separately for violations.
The shipper or person in charge of cattle being shipped or offered for inspection is responsible for sorting out stray animals and identifying such strays to the brand inspector prior to inspection.
(a)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 21175(a) Any expense for feed and transportation incurred in the recovery of stray animals shipped without inspection, or shipped for inspection at destination, without the knowledge and consent of the owner, shall be recovered from the person responsible for the shipment.
(b)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 21175(b) Any person failing to cut out or identify stray animals which are shipped without inspection or shipped for inspection at destination shall pay a penalty upon a first violation of fifty dollars ($50) for each animal; upon a second violation within the same 12-month period, a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100) for each animal; upon a third violation within the same 12-month period, a penalty of two hundred dollars ($200) for each animal; and upon the fourth or subsequent violation within the same 12-month period, a penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) for each animal to the Bureau of Livestock Identification which is in addition to any other penalty provided by law.
(c)CA Food And Agriculture Code § 21175(c) For purposes of determining subsequent violations, each shipment of cattle to a single destination point in one calendar day constitutes one violation.
cattle shipping stray animals brand inspector
