SECTIONS 25988-25988.5 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 25988-25988.5

25988. A peace officer, officer of a humane society as qualified
under Section 14502 or 14503 of the Corporations Code, or officer of
an animal control or animal regulation department of a public agency,
as qualified under Section 830.9 of the Penal Code, may issue a
citation as prescribed in Section 25988.5, to any person or entity
keeping horses or other equine animals for hire, if the person or
entity fails to meet any of the following standards of humane
treatment regarding the keeping of horses or other equine animals:
(a) Any enclosure where an equine is primarily kept shall be of
sufficient size to enable the equine to comfortably stand up, turn
around, and lie down, and shall be kept free of excessive urine and
waste matter.
(b) Paddocks and corrals shall be of adequate size for the equine
to move about freely.
(c) Buildings, premises, and conveyances used in conjunction with
equines shall be kept free of sharp objects, protrusions, or other
materials that are likely to cause injury.
(d) Equines shall be supplied with nutritionally adequate feed and
clean water, in accordance with standards published by the
Cooperative Extension of the Division of Agricultural Sciences of the
University of California.
(e) Tack and equipment shall be appropriate and fit properly.
(f) After use the equine shall be cooled out to a normal condition
at rest.
(g) When not being ridden, a saddled equine shall have available
adequate shelter from the elements, and have loosened saddle straps
and girths.
(h) An equine shall not be available for hire or use if the equine
has any conditions that violate subdivision (b) of Section 597 or
Section 597f of the Penal Code or any of the following conditions:
(1) Sores or abrasions caused or likely to be irritated by the
surfaces of saddles, girths, harnesses, or bridles.
(2) Blindness in both eyes.
(3) Improperly or inadequately trimmed and shod feet contrary to
the standards published by the Cooperative Extension of the Division
of Agricultural Sciences of the University of California.
(i) Each equine shall be individually identified, using humane
methods, such as a detailed description, including, but not limited
to, name, breed, color, markings, size, age, sex, and photograph.
(j) Farrier and veterinary receipts shall be kept and shall
identify each equine treated.
(k) Veterinary, farrier, and feed records shall be made available
during normal business hours to the law enforcement officer. Upon
failure to provide these records, the equine or equines in question
may not be used for hire until such time as the records are produced
or an equine veterinarian shall certify that the equine or equines
are fit for labor.

25988.5. (a) Citations issued pursuant to Section 25988 shall
require the person cited to pay a civil penalty in the amount of one
hundred dollars ($100) for each violation, and one hundred dollars
($100) for each day the violation continues.
(b) Any person who violates Section 25988 may be prosecuted by the
district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred or
the city attorney of the city in which the violation occurred.