You were driving down a California road when a large animal, maybe a cow or a horse, suddenly appeared in your path, causing you to strike it. As you assess the damage and injuries, several questions remain: Who owns the animal after the crash, and are they legally responsible?
In California, livestock owners are typically supposed to keep their animals secured and off public roads. If they fail to do that, they may be liable for any damages caused. But to hold someone accountable, you first have to figure out who the animal belongs to, and that’s not always simple.
This post explains how to properly report these incidents and the steps to take to investigate ownership after a livestock-related accident.
Why Ownership Matters in a Livestock Collision
Collisions with livestock aren’t treated the same as accidents involving wild animals. If you hit a deer, it’s usually considered an unavoidable accident. But if you hit livestock, it’s a different story.
In many cases, the livestock owner may be financially responsible if:
- Their fencing was inadequate or broken,
- They failed to secure a gate,
- The animal had a history of escaping, or
- They allowed animals to graze near roadways without supervision.
You need to identify who owns the animal to establish a legal claim. Without that information, there is no one to hold accountable.
Step 1: Call Local Law Enforcement Immediately
After a crash, the first thing you should do is call 911 or the local non-emergency line. Let them know:
- Your exact location,
- That you’ve been in a collision involving livestock,
- Whether the animal is still present, and
- If anyone is injured.
Law enforcement officers will document the scene and create an official report. They may also help start the process of identifying the animal’s owner, especially in small towns or rural areas where they know the local properties.
Make sure to:
- Get the report number before leaving the scene, and
- Ask which agency (sheriff, CHP, etc.) will handle the follow-up.
That report becomes a valuable part of your insurance claim and potential lawsuit.
Step 2: Involve Animal Control
If the animal is alive, injured, or still on the roadway, you should also contact animal control. These professionals are often trained to:
- Scan for ear tags or brands,
- Examine animals for microchips or other identifying markers, and
- Notify owners when animals are recovered.
Animal control may also know the surrounding ranchers and help connect the dots more quickly than law enforcement alone. In most cases, when you call 911 and advise them that the accident involved livestock, they will also call animal control to investigate.
Step 3: Look for Visible Tags or Branding
If it’s safe to do so, and the animal is no longer a threat, look for identifying features. Take clear photos of any tags or markings. Don’t attempt to touch or move the animal, especially if it’s injured. Let professionals handle that, but document what you can from a distance.
Some cattle brands are registered with the county or state, which can help trace ownership.
Step 4: Speak with Nearby Property Owners
In rural areas, livestock usually doesn’t wander far. If you’re unsure who owns the animal, check the surroundings and take note:
- Are there nearby ranches or farms?
- Can you see a fence line or pasture from the road?
- Is there a gate that appears broken or open?
If you talk to someone nearby, do not accuse anyone of wrongdoing. Simply ask if they know who owns the animal. Let your lawyer handle any legal discussions later.
Step 5: Search County Livestock Brand Registries
In California, livestock brands are often recorded with county agricultural commissioners or the California Department of Food and Agriculture. If you captured a photo of a brand on the animal, you can try to match it through:
- The California Brand Book (available online),
- The local county AG Commissioner’s office, and
- Livestock brand registries maintained by the state.
These resources may help confirm who owns the livestock, especially when the case involves cattle.
If you’re unsure how to search these records, an experienced California livestock accident attorney can help you navigate the process.
Step 6: Use Public Property Records
If the animal entered the road from an unfenced pasture or property, you may be able to identify the landowner through county property records.
County assessor’s offices and GIS maps often allow you to search:
- By address or parcel number,
- For property owner names, and
- For historical ownership records.
These searches can help identify the animal as belonging to a specific piece of land, person, or ranch.
Step 7: Preserve Evidence from the Scene
While you work to figure out who owns the animal after the crash, make sure to document everything from the scene. That includes:
- Photos of the animal, road, and vehicle damage;
- Video walkthroughs of the area;
- Skid marks, broken fences, or gate damage; and
- Your own written account of what happened.
This information will help your attorney work to prove that you weren’t at fault.
Step 8: Speak with a Livestock Accident Lawyer
Identifying the animal’s owner is just the first step. An experienced livestock accident lawyer can help you:
- Investigate animal ownership;
- Prove improper fencing or containment;
- Handle communication with insurers; and
- Pursue full compensation for your medical bills, vehicle damage, and lost income.
Without legal guidance, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or misled by insurance companies hoping to avoid responsibility.
Call Silva Injury Law for Help After a Livestock Collision
When you’re left asking who owns the animal after the crash, you shouldn’t have to look for answers alone. You deserve support, guidance, and someone who knows how to hold negligent owners accountable.
At Silva Injury Law, we’ve helped drivers across California protect their rights after serious livestock accidents. Our founder, Michael Joe Silva, is a former prosecutor with courtroom experience and a deep understanding of rural communities throughout the Central Valley.
We move quickly to help identify animal owners, preserve evidence, and build a strong case. Call Silva Injury Law today for a free consultation.
