SECTIONS 16521-16527 - California Statutes

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL CODE

SECTION 16521-16527

16521. (a) An inspector shall seize any bovine animal, horse, mule,
or burro, or the hide or carcass of any of those animals, that is
within any of the following classes:
(1) Found in the possession of a person who does not also have in
his or her possession proof of ownership.
(2) Presented for inspection and that is not claimed by the
consignor or consignee.
(3) An estray as defined in Section 17001.5.
(b) At the time of seizure, the person from whom the animal is
seized shall be given a notice of rights under this chapter.

16522. Evidence of ownership of an animal or hide may include any
of the following:
(a) A recorded brand registered in the name of the person in
possession of the animal or hide.
(b) A brand inspection certificate.
(c) A bill of sale from the owner of the brand on the animal or
hide.
(d) In the case of an unbranded animal or hide, a bill of sale
which gives a description of the breed, sex, color, and natural
markings, if any.
(e) A dairy exemption number.

16522.5. (a) A dairy exemption number shall be evidence of
ownership of cull beef cows and bulls of a recognized dairy breed
presented for sale at a registered or posted salesyard, or licensed
slaughter plant for immediate slaughter. Any person owning a dairy
farm as defined in Section 32505 may apply to the secretary for an
exemption number.
(b) Every five years, the secretary may charge a fee to cover the
cost of issuing and renewing a dairy exemption number. The fee may
not exceed fifty dollars ($50). The secretary may refuse to issue
such number to persons who have violated any provision of Division 9
(commencing with Section 16301), Division 10 (commencing with Section
20001), or Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001) of the Food
and Agricultural Code, or to persons convicted of livestock theft.
(c) The dairy exemption number shall be written on the bill of
consignment, defined in Section 21703, when the cattle and
consignment slip are presented to an inspector at the registered or
posted salesyard, or licensed slaughter plant. The salesyard operator
shall display the letters "EX" in the description line of the
salesyard outbilling. An exemption number shall be deemed to meet the
identification information requirements of Section 21703. The cows
shall be consigned, owned, and sold in the name of the person having
the exemption number.
(d) The secretary may revoke the dairy exemption number of any
person who violates any provision of Division 9 (commencing with
Section 16301), Division 10 (commencing with Section 20001), or
Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001) of the Food and
Agricultural Code, or who is convicted of livestock theft.

16523. Evidence of ownership of a carcass may include a bill of
sale, sales tag, or sales memorandum which shows all of the
following:
(a) The names of the seller and buyer.
(b) The date of sale.
(c) The quantity sold.

16524. It is unlawful for any person to refuse to turn over to an
inspector any animal, hide, or carcass which is seized pursuant to
any provision of this part.

16525. It is unlawful for any person to remove any animal, hide or
carcass, which is seized by an inspector or peace officer pursuant to
any provision of this division, Division 10 (commencing with Section
20001), or Division 11 (commencing with Section 23001), from the
premises where the inspector or peace officer confined it at the time
of seizure, except upon release of such animal, hide or carcass, by
the inspector or peace officer who seized the animal, hide, or
carcass.

16526. Any expense which is incurred in caring for any property
seized pursuant to this part shall be paid by the person presenting
the property for inspection. The cost of caring for the property so
held is a lien upon the property. The lien may be enforced in the
manner prescribed by Section 3052 of the Civil Code.

16527. An animal, hide, or carcass seized pursuant to this chapter
shall be disposed of pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section
17001).