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California Penal Code Section 597o

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597o.  (a) Any person who transports an equine in a vehicle to
slaughter shall meet the following requirements:
   (1) The vehicle shall have sufficient clearance to allow the
equine to be transported in a standing position with its head in a
normal upright position above its withers.
   (2) Any ramps and floors in the vehicle shall be covered with a
nonskid surface to prevent the equine from slipping.
   (3) The vehicle shall provide adequate ventilation to the equine
while the equine is being transported.
   (4) The sides and overhead of the vehicle shall be constructed to
withstand the weight of any equine which may put pressure against the
sides or overhead.
   (5) Any compartments in the interior of the vehicle shall be
constructed of smooth materials and shall contain no protrusions or
sharp objects.
   (6) The size of the vehicle shall be appropriate for the number of
equine being transported and the welfare of the equine shall not be
jeopardized by overcrowding.
   (7) Stallions shall be segregated during transportation to
slaughter.
   (8) Diseased, sick, blind, dying, or otherwise disabled equine
shall not be transported out of this state.
   (9) Any equine being transported shall be able to bear weight on
all four feet.
   (10) Unweaned foals shall not be transported.
   (11) Mares in their last trimester of pregnancy shall not be
transported.
   (12) The person shall notify a humane officer having jurisdiction
72 hours before loading the equine in order that the humane officer
may perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle to determine if all
requirements of this section have been satisfied.
   (b) (1) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100)
per equine being transported.
   (2) Any person who violates this section for a second or
subsequent time is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined five
hundred dollars ($500) per equine being transported.
   (c) Whenever a person is taken into custody by an officer for a
violation of this section, the officer shall take charge of the
vehicle and its contents and deposit the property in some place of
custody.
   (d) (1) Any necessary expense incurred for taking care of and
keeping the property described in subdivision (c) is a lien thereon,
to be paid before the property can be lawfully recovered.
   (2) If the expense, or any part thereof, remains unpaid, it may be
recovered by the person incurring the expense from the owner of the
equine in an action therefor.
   (e) For the purposes of this section, "equine" means any horse,
pony, burro, or mule.

Last modified: February 22, 2013