California AB2344: Animal abuse: forfeiture.

What the bill says

An act to amend Section 597.1 of the Penal Code, relating to animal abuse. animal abuse Animal abuse: forfeiture. Existing law authorizes a peace officer, humane society officer, or animal control officer to take possession of a stray or abandoned animal in specified circumstances, including when the animal is kept without proper care and attention, as specified. Existing law provides that if an animal is seized pursuant to those provisions or pursuant to a warrant, the owner is personally liable to the seizing agency for the cost of the seizure and care of the animal…

From the chaptered text, September 27, 2026:

An act to amend Section 597.1 of the Penal Code, relating to animal abuse. animal abuse Animal abuse: forfeiture. Existing law authorizes a peace officer, humane society officer, or animal control officer to take possession of a stray or abandoned animal in specified circumstances, including when the animal is kept without proper care and attention, as specified. Existing law provides that if an animal is seized pursuant to those provisions or pursuant to a warrant, the owner is personally liable to the seizing agency for the cost of the seizure and care of the animal. Existing law deems the animal to then be abandoned by the owner under specified circumstances, including if the owner, within 14 days of notice of availability of the animal to be returned, fails to pay charges and take possession of the animal. This bill would make those provisions apply to animals seized pursuant to any provision of California law. MAJORITY NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 597.1 of the Penal Code is amended to read: 597.1. (a) (1) Every owner, driver, or keeper of any animal who permits the animal to be in any building, enclosure, lane, street, square, or lot of any city, county, city and …

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Sponsors

• Matt Haney (D, AD17) · primary sponsor