For this discussion, livestock means cattle, all equidae (horses, donkeys, mules, asses, etc.), sheep, and goats. Swine are not allowed to run at large anywhere in Oregon: they must be kept on the owner's property.
Loose livestock
Question: Somebody´s livestock is running loose on my property. What can I do about it?
Answer: A lot depends on whether your property is in an Open Range area or a Livestock District. (See definitions below.
If you´re in an Open Range area and don´t want other people´s livestock on your property, you must build adequate fences or have natural barriers to keep livestock out.
If you´re in a Livestock District, the animal owner is required to keep the animals on their property.
Livestock district
OK. I´m in a Livestock District. What can I do about these animals in my field?
If you know who the owner is, contact the owner directly. If this is a frequent problem, Oregon law provides both a civil remedy (click on link at left and scroll down to 607.303) and a criminal remedy (scroll down to 607.045).
If you don´t know who the owner is, we can help you find out who the owner may be. We can´t round them up for you, but after you get them penned up, you can Report Found Livestock via e-mail or call your nearest Brand Inspector. (Call 503-986-4681 for the name and phone number of your Brand Inspector.)
A livestock dstrict (also known as a closed range district) is an area where livestock may not run at large: the livestock owner or manager must keep livestock on his or her own property.
Livestock district counties
Counties which are entirely Livestock Districts
The entire area of each of the following ten counties is a livestock district (closed range ).The livestock owner must keep livestock on their own property.
Benton
Hood River
Clackamas
Multnomah
Clatsop
Polk
Coos
Sherman
Gilliam
Tillamook
Open range counties
Counties which are entirely Open Range
No livestock districts exist in the following counties. Livestock can legally run at large in the entire county. Property owner or manager must keep livestock out.
Grant
Harney
Lake
Open and closed range counties
Counties which have both Open Range and Livestock Districts
The following counties have both open range and livestock districts. Check with the County Clerk for detailed descriptions of open range areas and livestock districts.
Baker
Linn
Columbia
Malheur
Crook
Marion
Curry
Morrow
Deschutes
Umatilla
Most of Douglas County is a livestock district.
Union
Jackson
Wallowa
Jefferson
Wasco
Josephine
Washington
Klamath
Wheeler
Lane
Yamhill
Lincoln
Oregon law
Oregon law (ORS Chapter 607) defines livestock districts and open range and sets the procedure and requirements for establishing or changing a livestock district. The procedure is handled at the county level, by the County Clerk. When a Livestock District is created or changed the County Clerk sends written notification to the Department of Agriculture.
Page updated: November 01, 2007
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