Connecticut Statewide Rule
Connecticut Livestock Must Be Fenced In Under CGS § 47-43
Key Facts
- Statute
- CGS § 47-43 and § 47-55
- Minimum fence height
- Four feet
- Duty
- Contain livestock from roaming at large
- Remedy
- Impound plus poundage and damages
- Covered animals
- Cattle, horses, sheep, swine, goats
Summary
Connecticut General Statutes § 47-43 requires landowners to build and keep sufficient fences that contain their livestock and stop them from roaming at large, and § 47-55 makes owners pay for damage their animals cause.
The proprietors of lands shall make and maintain sufficient fences to secure their particular fields and to contain their livestock from roaming at large.
Full Breakdown
Under CGS § 47-43, proprietors of land must make and maintain sufficient fences to secure their fields and to contain their livestock from roaming at large. The statute sets minimums: board, picket, or chain-link fences at least four feet high in urban settings, and rail fences, stone walls, or wire fences at least four feet high in rural areas. Section 47-55 makes the owner of cattle, horses, mules, sheep, swine, or goats liable for damage the animals do inside another's sufficient enclosure, and a landowner may impound animals at large and recover poundage fees and damages.
Violations & Penalties
Owners of livestock that roam at large pay for damage done inside a neighbor's sufficient enclosure under § 47-55, and the landowner may impound the animals and recover poundage fees and damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Connecticut require me to fence in my livestock?
Who pays if my animals damage a neighbor's field?
Sources
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