What is the legal definition of a livestock animal?
In California, the legal definition of a livestock animal is any domestic mammal that is kept and used, or intended to be kept and used, for commercial or agricultural purposes. Livestock includes animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, goats, horses, swine, and other mammals that are used in the production of food, fiber, and other products. This definition excludes pets, which are not deemed “livestock” and are not covered under the laws and regulations governing livestock. The state of California provides protections to owners of livestock under the California Food and Agricultural Code and other state laws. These protections include the right of livestock owners to own, control, and have access to animals, as well as the right to recover damages caused by trespass onto their property. Additionally, the state provides some protections specific to equine animals, such as regulating the sale of horses and mandating that certain vaccinations be administered. The laws surrounding livestock set forth specific requirements for owners in terms of food, water, and shelter; animal health care; and humane treatment of the animals. These laws also require that owners take reasonable steps to protect animals from injury and disease as well as provide for their general welfare. Livestock owners may also be subject to certain taxes and fees based on their ownership of the animals.
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