Legal Definitions - cattle-trespass

Cattle-trespass refers to the unlawful entry or presence of livestock on another person's property without permission, often resulting in damage. It is a specific form of trespass where the infringing party is an animal, such as cows, sheep, goats, horses, or pigs, rather than a human.

Here are some examples to illustrate cattle-trespass:

• Example 1: A dairy farmer's herd of cows breaks through a dilapidated fence and wanders into a neighboring organic vegetable farm. The cows graze on and trample several rows of ripening tomatoes and lettuce, causing significant financial loss to the vegetable farmer.

  Explanation: The cows, being livestock, unlawfully entered the organic vegetable farm (another person's property) without permission. Their actions of grazing and trampling caused damage to the crops, directly illustrating cattle-trespass.

• Example 2: A rancher's horses escape their pasture during a storm and stray onto an adjacent private estate. The horses gallop across the estate's manicured lawns, leaving deep hoof prints and damaging the irrigation system buried beneath the turf.

  Explanation: The horses, as livestock, entered the private estate without authorization. Their presence and actions resulted in damage to the lawns and irrigation system, fulfilling the definition of cattle-trespass.

• Example 3: A flock of sheep belonging to a shepherd strays from common grazing land and enters a residential backyard, consuming ornamental plants and leaving droppings on the patio furniture.

  Explanation: The sheep, classified as livestock, unlawfully entered the homeowner's private backyard without permission. Their actions of eating plants and leaving droppings constitute damage and nuisance, making this an instance of cattle-trespass.