Chapter 12.15
STOCK-RESTRICTED AREAS
Sections:
12.15.020 Stock at large in restricted area.
12.15.030 Stock at large on highway right-of-way.
12.15.010 Applicability.
All of the land and area of Columbia County is within a stock-restricted area as the law provides in Chapter 16.24 RCW except the following:
A. All that part of the Umatilla National Forest and all that part of the State of Washington Game Refuge located in Columbia County.
B. Township 12 North, Range 39 East, Sections 25, 26, 35, and 36.
C. Township 9 North, Range 40 East, Sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33.
D. Township 8 North, Range 40 East, Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, and 18.
E. Township 8 North, Range 39 East, Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36.
F. Township 7 North, Range 39 East, Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, and 19. [Res. 2012-35; Ord. 79-01 § 1.]
12.15.020 Stock at large in restricted area.
No person owning or in control of any livestock shall willfully or negligently allow such livestock to run at large in any stock-restricted area, nor shall any person owning or in control of any livestock allow such livestock to wander or stray upon the right-of-way of any public highway lying within a stock-restricted area when not in the charge of some person. [Ord. 79-01 § 2.]
12.15.030 Stock at large on highway right-of-way.
It shall be unlawful for any person to cause or permit any livestock to graze or stray upon any portion of the right-of-way of any public highway of this county, within any stock-restricted area. It shall be unlawful for any person to herd or move any livestock over, along or across the right-of-way of any public highway, or portion thereof, within any stock-restricted area, without having in attendance a sufficient number of persons to control the movement of such livestock and to warn or otherwise protect vehicles traveling upon such public highway from any danger by reason of such livestock being herded or moved thereon. [Ord. 79-01 § 3.]
12.15.040 Penalty.
Any person, or any agent, employee or representative of a corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $2.00, nor more than $10.00, for each offense, and it shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney of Columbia County, on complaint of any resident or freeholder of Columbia County, to forthwith enforce the provisions of this chapter. [Ord. 79-01 § 4.]
12.15.050 Impoundment.
In the event that any livestock is allowed to stray or graze upon the right-of-way of any public highway, or portion thereof, within any stock-restricted area, unattended, the same may be impounded for safekeeping and, if the owner be not known, complaint may be instituted against such stock in a court of competent jurisdiction. Notice shall be published in one issue of a paper of general circulation published as close as possible to the location where the livestock were found, describing as nearly as possible the stock, where found, and that the same are to be sold. In the event that the owner appears and convinces the court of his right thereto, the stock may be delivered upon payment by him of all costs of court, advertising and caring for the stock. In the event no person claiming the right thereto shall appear by the close of business of the tenth day following and exclusive of the date of publication of notice, the stock may be sold at a public or private sale, all costs of court, advertising and caring therefor paid from the proceeds thereof and the balance certified by the judge of the court ordering such sale, to the treasurer of Columbia County, to be credited to the county school fund. [Ord. 79-01 § 5.]