Section 31501: The owner of any livestock or poultry which is injured or killed by any dog may recover as liquidated damages from the owner of the dog twice the actual value of the animals killed or twice the value of the damages sustained by reason of the injuries, as the case may be.

Section 31502: If two or more dogs kept by two or more owners or keepers injure or kill any livestock or poultry at the same time, the owners or keepers of the dogs are jointly and severally liable for the damage.

Section 31503: If any person sustains any loss or damage to any livestock or poultry which is caused by a dog, or if any livestock of any person is necessarily destroyed because of having been bitten by a dog, the person may file a complaint with any judge of the municipal court of the county within which the damage occurred or of the superior court in a county in which there is no municipal court. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case.

Section 31504: The complaint shall satisfy all of the following requirements:

(a) Be in writing.
(b) Signed by the person that makes it.
(c) State when, where, what, and how much damage was done.
(d) State, if known, the name of the person that owns the dog or was in charge of it when the loss or damage was sustained.

Section 31505: If the person that owns the dog or was in charge of it when the damage or loss was sustained appears from the complaint, the judge shall forthwith issue a summons against such person commanding him to appear before the judge and show cause why the dog should not be killed.

Section 31506: The summons shall be made returnable not less than two nor more than six days from the date of issue and shall be served at least two days before the time of appearance ordered.

Section 31507: The service of the summons may be made by any person over the age of 18 years or by registered mail to the last known address of the owner or person in charge. Any expense connected with the summons shall be borne by the owner of the livestock or poultry which was injured or the party that makes the complaint.

Section 31508: Upon the return day fixed in the summons, the judge shall proceed to determine whether the loss or damage to the livestock was caused by the dog. If he finds that it was caused by the dog, he shall notify the person that owns the dog or was in charge of it when the loss or damage was sustained to kill the dog. Failure of such person to kill the dog as directed renders the owner subject to the penalties which are prescribed in this division.


Section 31102: Except in an area in which the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 31151) of this chapter apply or as otherwise provided in Section 31104, any person may kill any dog in any of the following cases:

(a) The dog is found in the act of killing, wounding, or persistently pursuing or worrying livestock or poultry on land or premises which are not owned or possessed by the owner of the dog.
(b) The person has such proof as conclusively shows that the dog has been recently engaged in killing or wounding livestock or poultry on land or premises which are not owned or possessed by the dog's owner.

No action, civil or criminal, shall be maintained for the killing of any such dog.

Section 31103: Except in an area in which the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 31151) of this chapter apply or as otherwise provided in Section 31104, any dog entering any enclosed or unenclosed property upon which livestock or poultry are confined may be seized or killed by the owner or tenant of the property or by any employee of the owner or tenant. No action, civil or criminal, shall be maintained against the owner, tenant, or employee for the seizure or killing of any such dog.

Section 31104: The provisions of Sections 31102 and 31103 shall not apply to any dog which is inside the corporate limits of any city, or city and county, or to any dog which is under the reasonable control of his owner or keeper, unless the dog is actually caught in the act or worrying, wounding, chasing, or killing any livestock or poultry.

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