Animals: estrays: alpacas, llamas, and goats.

Existing law prescribes requirements for the seizure, management, and care of estrays. Existing law, for purposes of those provisions, defines "estray" to mean any impounded or seized bovine animal, horse, mule, sheep, swine, or burro whose owner is unknown or cannot be located. Existing law requires that any animal that is seized by, or comes into the possession of, an inspector pursuant to those provisions be disposed of in accordance with specified requirements. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to violate specified provisions in the Food and Agricultural Code governing the care and treatment of animals, including estrays. This bill would additionally include any alpaca, llama, or goat within that definition of "estray," and would require that any animal that is seized by, or comes into the possession of, an inspector pursuant to those provisions be managed, rather than disposed of, in accordance with the specified requirements. The inclusion of alpacas, llamas, and goats within the definition of "estray" would expand the definition of a crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. Existing law requires the poundkeeper, other pound officer, or public animal control agency or shelter to immediately notify the Secretary of Food and Agriculture upon the impounding of any bovine animal, horse, mule, or burro. This bill would also make that notification requirement applicable to the impounding of sheep, swine, alpacas, llamas, or goats. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.