§ 17122 Grazing County Estray Animals

Food and Agricultural Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says you can't claim a stray animal you find on your land or any land you control, and you can't put a lien on it, unless the land is fully surrounded by a solid fence.

Key Takeaways

•You have no right to take up a stray animal found on land you own or possess.
•You cannot place a lien on that stray animal.
•The only time you can claim the animal is if the land is fully enclosed by a good, solid fence.

Example

A farmer discovers a stray horse wandering onto his unfenced grazing field.

Because the field isn’t completely fenced, the farmer cannot keep the horse or claim any legal right to it under this law.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 17122 Grazing County Estray Animals

In any county or part of a county devoted chiefly to grazing and so declared pursuant to this article, a person shall not have the right to take up any estray animal found upon his premises, or upon premises to which he has the right of possession, nor shall he have a lien thereon, unless the premises are entirely enclosed with a good and substantial fence. (Enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

estray animal good and substantial fence lien

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 17122.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References