California Bill 3053 Seeks to Protect Children's Farm Animals from Forced Sell and Butchery

Jessica Long's daughter participated in a livestock project organized by 4-H in Northern California. As part of the project, the child lovingly cared for Cedar, a brown and white goat with floppy ears. The 9-year-old girl lovingly raised Cedar, who soon became her cherished pet. To avoid Cedar being sold and slaughtered right after being auctioned off, Jessica decided to withdraw the young goat from the Shasta County District Fair.

 

California's fair regulations currently classify goats as livestock bred for food consumption and are to be terminally sold. In a terminal sale, living livestock can only be picked up for transportation to processing facilities arranged by the fair. Jessica had offered to reimburse the expenses incurred, but fair officials demanded that law enforcement be called to remove Cedar. Cedar, the little brown pet goat, was callously slaughtered and processed as a market animal in July 2022 in accordance with Shasta County District Fair rules.

Cedar the goat, pictured before being seized by sheriff’s officials and taken for slaughter, as detailed in a federal civil rights lawsuit. Credit: Advancing Law for Animals

Jessica has since filed a suit claiming that law enforcement violated her and her daughter's right to due process and their right against unreasonable search and seizure.  Cedar's story has sparked debate over the use of police resources in civil disputes, the rights of minors in contracts, and the emotional impact of forced livestock sales.

 

Assembly member Ash Kalra has introduced a new bill, Bill 3053, which aims to modify Section 4501 of the Food and Agricultural Code. Firstly, the proposed changes require junior exhibitors to obtain consent from a parent or guardian before submitting their entries. The amendment also permits entries to be withdrawn before off-site transport. These changes aim to ensure young exhibitors' and their animals' safety and well-being. 

Lastly, Bill 3053 offers an alternative to traditional terminal sales for junior livestock exhibits at fairs. Bidders will have the option for live pickup, giving animals a choice that the Long's and Cedar were never given.