Statutes

Statute by category Citationsort ascending Summary
CA - Sales - § 1670.10. Sale of dogs and cats; retail installment contracts prohibited; remedies West's Ann.Cal.Civ.Code § 1670.10 This law, effective 2018, prohibits the transfer of ownership of dogs and cats through retail installment contracts. This is a contract where transfer ownership of a dog or cat in which ownership is contingent upon the making of payments over a period of time subsequent to the transfer of possession of the dog or cat. These contracts on or after January 1, 2018 are void as against public policy in the state
CA - Horse - § 21759. Caution in passing animals West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 21759 This California law provides that the driver of any vehicle that approaches a horse drawn vehicle, any ridden animal, or livestock must exercise proper control of his vehicle and shall reduce speed or stop as may appear necessary to avoid frightening the animal and to insure safety of the person in charge of the animal.
CA - Parks - § 5008.1. Animals brought into parks; conditions; maintenance of Internet Web site West's Ann. Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 5008.1 This law allows the state parks director to determine when it is in the public interest to allow visitors to bring animals to units of the state park system. Animals brought in by visitors must be under immediate control of the visitor and must not pose a safety threat, create a public nuisance, or pose of threat to natural or cultural resources. The department may require a person bringing an animal into a state park system to provide proof of appropriate immunizations and valid licenses. In 2018, the legislature added a part to the law that states no later than July 1, 2020, the department shall establish and maintain on its Internet Web site a comprehensive, up-to-date list of each state park system unit with information on whether the unit or a portion of the unit allows dogs and additional information that may include, but is not limited to, the specific areas of the unit in which dogs are allowed and the total miles of trail in the unit that are open to dogs.
CA - Trusts - § 15212. Trusts for care of animals; duration; requirements; accountings; beneficiaries West's Ann. Cal. Prob. Code § 15212 This California statute provides that a person can create a trust for the care of a designated domestic or pet animal for the life of the animal. The duration will only be for the life of the pet, even if the trust instrument contemplates a longer duration. Note that the statute uses the singular form of "animal" and the term "domestic" or "pet" is used.
CA - Enforcement - Chapter 5. Arrest, by Whom and How Made. West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 837, 847 This set of provisions authorizes private citizens to make arrests and explains when and how citizen arrests may be made.
CA - Importation - Chapter 2. Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses (653o - 653r) West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 653o - 653r These California laws relate to the importation of certain animals parts for commercial purposes. Under the law, it is unlawful to import into this state for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or product thereof, of any polar bear, leopard, ocelot, tiger, cheetah, jaguar, sable antelope, wolf (Canis lupus), zebra, whale, cobra, python, sea turtle, colobus monkey, kangaroo, vicuna, sea otter, free-roaming feral horse, dolphin or porpoise (Delphinidae), Spanish lynx, or elephant. It is unlawful to import into this state for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or product thereof, of any crocodile or alligator. Commencing January 1, 2022, it is unlawful to import into this state for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or product thereof, of an iguana, skink, caiman, hippopotamus, or a Teju, Ring, or Nile lizard. Section 653p makes it unlawful to posses with the intent to sell any part or dead body of any species on the federal endangered species list or species covered under the MMPA. Section 653q makes it illegal to import for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or product thereof, of any seal.
CA - Zoo - § 602.13. Entering animal enclosure at zoo, circus, or traveling animal exhibit; punishment; exceptions; other prosec West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 602.13 This law makes it an infraction for a person to enter into an animal enclosure at a zoo, circus, or traveling animal exhibit if that facility is licensed or permitted to display animals and if it posts signs prohibiting entrance into the animal enclosures.
CA - Service Animal - § 600.5. Intentional injury to, or death of, guide, signal or service dog; penalty; restitution West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 600.5 Any person who intentionally causes injury to or the death of any service dog, while the dog is in discharge of its duties, is guilty of a misdemeanor. punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Upon conviction, a defendant must make restitution to the person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the dog for any veterinary bills and replacement costs of the dog if it is disabled or killed.
CA - Assistance Animal - California Assistance Animal/Guide Dog Laws West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 600.2, 600.5, West's Ann. Cal. Civ. Code § 54 - 55.32; West's Ann.Cal.Educ.Code § 39839; West's Ann. Cal. Food & Agric. Code § 30850 - 30854; West's Ann. Cal. Health & Safety Code § 121680; Cal. Vehicle Code § 21963; The following statutes comprise the state's relevant assistance animal and guide dog laws.
CA - Service Animal - § 600.2. Allowing dog to injure or kill guide, signal or service dog; punishment; restitution West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 600.2 It is unlawful for any person to permit any dog he or she owns or controls to injure or kill any service dog while the service dog is in discharge of its duties. A violation is an infraction punishable by a fine if the injury is caused by the person's failure to exercise ordinary care. A violation is a misdemeanor if the injury is caused by reckless disregard in the exercise of control over his or her dog. A violation in this case shall be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Upon conviction, the defendant shall make restitution, including veterinary bills and replacement costs.
CA - Service Animal - § 600. Horses or dogs used by peace officers or volunteers; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 600 This statute makes it an offense to willfully, maliciously and with no legal justification harm, injure, obstruct, or interfere with a horse or dog under the supervision of law enforcement in the discharge of official duties or a volunteer under the direct supervision of a peace officer. Violations are punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Punishment depends on the seriousness of the injury to the animal. Upon conviction, a defendant must also pay restitution for damages.
CA - Slaughter - § 599f. Nonambulatory animals; slaughter houses, stockyards, auctions, market agencies, or dealers; transaction West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599f As used in this section, "nonambulatory" means unable to stand and walk without assistance. This statute prohibits a slaughterhouse that is not inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture, stockyard, or auction shall buy, sell, or receive a nonambulatory animal. Effective July 2008, the law also states that no slaughterhouse shall sell meat from non-ambulatory animals for human consumption. The penalty was also increased from an unspecified misdemeanor to a penalty of up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $20,000 or both.
CA - Euthanasia - § 599e. Killing unfit animals after notice by officer; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599e This statute requires an owner of an animal deemed to be unfit for employment to kill the animal within 12 hours, after being notified by any peace officer, or be subject to criminal penalties.
CA - Euthanasia - § 599d. Policy of state regarding adoptable and treatable animals West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599d This law provides that it is the policy of the state that no adoptable animal should be euthanized if it can be adopted into a suitable home. (Editor's note: The law was part of SB 1785 (the Hayden Act) that expanded the holding time for companion animals and the duties of pounds and shelters who act as depositories for lost or stray animals).
CA - Cruelty, exemptions - § 599c. Construction of title; game laws; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599c This statute makes it clear that the title is not meant to interfere with “game laws” or the right to destroy venomous reptiles or other dangerous animal. Neither is there an intent to interfere with laws regarding the destruction of certain birds, interfere with the right to kill animals used for food or with scientific experiments.
CA - Animal Defined - § 599b. Words and phrases; imputation of knowledge to corporation West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599b This statute defines words, such as "animal," as they are used in Title 14, the Malicious Mischief section, of the California Penal Code. Title 14 is where all of the California Penal Code sections pertaining to animal cruelty are found.
CA - Forfeiture - § 599aa. Seizure of fighting animals and birds, paraphernalia, etc.; affidavit of officer; custody of seized p West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599aa This section provides for the seizure and forfeiture of all birds, animals, paraphernalia, and any other property which is used in the fighting of birds or animals, the training of birds or animals to fight, or to inflict pain or cruelty on fighting animals. The section outlines the procedures for seizure and forfeiture, including what is to be done with seized animals.
CA - Crimes, warrants - § 599a. Violations involving animals or birds; procedure West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599a If a complainant believes that any provision of law relating to, or in any way affecting, dumb animals or birds, is being, or is about to be violated in any particular building or place, a magistrate may issue and deliver immediately a warrant directed to law enforcement, authorizing him to enter and search that building or place, and to arrest any person there present violating, or attempting to violate, any law relating to, or in any way affecting, dumb animals or birds.
CA - Prize animals - § 599. Selling or giving away poultry or rabbits as inducement to enter contest, place of amusement or busi West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 599 This statute makes it a misdemeanor to sell or give away, any live chicks, rabbits, ducklings, or other fowl as a prize for, or as an inducement to enter, any contest, game or other competition. It also makes it a crime to dye or artificially color any of these animals, or display them without adequate facilities.
CA - Horse slaughter - § 598d. Sale of horsemeat for human consumption West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 598d This statute prohibits the sale of horsemeat for human consumption. No restaurant, cafe, or other public eating place may offer horsemeat for sale for human consumption. A first time violation is a misdemeanor.
CA - Horse slaughter - § 598c. Horse slaughter for human consumption West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 598c This statute makes it unlawful to possess, to import into or export from the state, or to sell, buy, give away, hold, or accept any equine with the intent of killing it for the purpose of human consumption. Violations could result in a felony conviction with a prison sentence of up to three years.
CA - Slaughter - § 598b. Animals commonly kept as pets or companions; use as food; violation; exceptions West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 598b This statute makes it a misdemeanor to possess, import into, or export from, California, sell, buy, give away, or accept any carcass of any animal commonly kept as a pet with the intent of using any part of that carcass for food. It is also a misdemeanor to possess, import, export, buy, sell, give away or accept a common pet animal with the intent of killing it for food.
CA - Fur - § 598a. Killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale or importation of pelt with i West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 598a This statute makes it a misdemeanor to kill any dog or cat with the sole intent of selling or giving away the pelt of the animal. It also makes it a misdemeanor to possess, import into California, sell, buy, give away or accept any pelt of a dog or cat with the sole intent of selling or giving away the pelt of the dog or cat.
CA - Fighting - § 598.1. Dogfighting; forfeiture proceedings West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 598.1 This California law allows the prosecuting attorney to file a petition for forfeiture in animal fighting cases under Section 597.5 or subdivision (b) of Section 597b. Any property interest, whether tangible or intangible, that was acquired through the commission of any of the crimes listed in subdivision (a) of Section 597.5 or subdivision (b) of Section 597b shall be subject to forfeiture, including both personal and real property, profits, proceeds, and the instrumentalities acquired, accumulated, or used by cockfighting or dogfighting participants, organizers, transporters of animals and equipment, breeders and trainers of fighting birds or fighting dogs, and persons who steal or illegally obtain dogs or other animals for fighting, including bait and sparring animals.
CA - Birds, killing - § 598. Birds in cemeteries; killing, trapping, destroying nests, etc. West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 598 This statute makes it unlawful within any public cemetery or burying-ground to kill, wound, or trap any bird, or destroy any bird's nest other than swallows' nests, or remove any eggs or young birds from any nest.
CA - Pet Shop - Sale of dogs under eight weeks of age; written approval by veterinarian prior to physical transfer; violations; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597z This California law makes it a misdemeanor for any person to sell one or more dogs under eight weeks of age, unless, prior to any physical transfer of the dog or dogs from the seller to the purchaser, the dog or dogs are approved for sale, as evidenced by written documentation from a veterinarian licensed to practice in California.
CA - Crimes - § 597y. Violations; methods of killing; penalty West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597y A violation of Section 597u [Animals; prohibited killing methods] or 597v [Newborn dog or cat; methods of killing] is a misdemeanor.
CA - Horse transportation - § 597x. Disabled equine; sale or transport for commercial slaughter; misdemeanor West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597x This statute makes it a misdemeanor to sell, load, or transport, any live equine that is disabled, if it is intended to be sold, loaded, or transported for commercial slaughter out of the state.
CA - Euthanasia - § 597w. Repealed by Stats.2005, c. 652 (A.B.1426), § 2 West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597w (repealed) This repealed statute prohibited the killing of any dog or cat by the use of any high-altitude decompression chamber or nitrogen gas.
CA - Euthanasia - § 597v. Newborn dog or cat; methods of killing West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597v The statute prohibits the killing of a newborn dog or cat whose eyes have not yet opened by any other method than by the use of chloroform vapor or by inoculation of barbiturates.
CA - Euthanasia - § 597u. Animals; prohibited killing methods West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597u This statute prohibits the use by any person of carbon monoxide gas or an intracardiac injection of a euthanasia agent on a conscious animal to kill an animal.
CA - Impound - § 597t. Confined animals West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597t This statute requires an animal kept in an enclosed area be provided with an adequate exercise area. It also states that if the animal is restricted by a leash, rope, or chain, the leash, rope, or chain shall be affixed in such a manner that it will prevent the animal from becoming entangled or injured and permit the animal's access to adequate shelter, food, and water.
CA - Abandonment - § 597s. Abandonment of animals West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597s This statute makes it a misdemeanor to willfully abandon an animal, but does not apply to the release or rehabilitation and release of native California wildlife pursuant to statute or regulations of the California Department of Fish and Game.
CA - Horses docking - § 597r. Docked horses; exception of imported stock; registration West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597r This statute makes it a misdemeanor to violate any of the horse docking provisions, but creates an exception from the provisions of Sections 597n, 597p, and 597q, to persons owning or possessing any docked purebred stallions and mares imported from foreign countries for breeding or exhibition purposes only.
CA - Horse docking - § 597q. Docked horses; unregistered; prima facie evidence West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597q This statute provides that driving, working, keeping, racing or using any unregistered docked horse 60 days after the passage of this act is prima facie evidence of the fact that the party engaged in such activity docked the tail of such horse.
CA - Horse docking - § 597p. Docked horses; registration; time; fee; certificate West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597p This statute requires every owner, or user of any docked horse, within the State of California, to register his or her docked horse.
CA - Horse slaughter - § 597o. Humane transportation of equine to slaughter; vehicle requirements; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597o This statute outlines the requirements for transporting equine to slaughter, including, but limited to, proper ventilation, sufficient space for equine to stand, and the use of ramps and floors with nonskid surfaces.
CA - Docking - § 597n. Docked horses; prohibition of docking; importation or use of unregistered animals West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597n This law was amended in 2009 to prohibit the docking or cutting of the solid part of any horse or cattle. Violation of the law constitutes a misdemeanor. The new law does provide an exclusion for the docking of any cattle's tail in an emergency for the purpose of saving the cattle's life or relieving the cattle's pain provided that the emergency treatment is performed consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
CA - Bullfights - § 597m. Bullfights prohibited; exceptions; penalty West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597m This statute makes it unlawful for any person to promote, advertise, stage, hold, manage, conduct, participate in, engage in, or carry on any bullfight, but does not prohibit rodeos or bloodless bullfights, contests, or exhibitions held in connection with religious celebrations or religious festivals.
CA - Pet Shop - § 597l. List providing what is unlawful for a pet shop operator to fail to do; information to be provided to buy West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597l This statute requires operators of pet shops to provide sanitary conditions, proper heating and ventilation, adequate nutrition and space for a pet animal. Sellers must provide buyers with written recommendations for the generally accepted standards of care, including information on housing and feeding of the animal. Violations of the provisions constitute a misdemeanor.
CA - Horse tack - § 597k. Bristle bur, tack bur, etc.; use on animals West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597k This section makes it a misdemeanor to use a bristle bur, tack bur, or similar device, to be used on a horse or any other animal. A violation is punishable with imprisonment and/or imprisonment.
CA - Cockfighting - § 597j. Persons who own, possess or keep or train West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597j This section prohibits any person from owning, possessing, or keeping any cock with the intent that it shall be used in any exhibition of fighting.
CA - Cockfighting - § 597i. Cockfighting implements; prohibitions; penalties West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597i This statute makes it unlawful for anyone to manufacture, buy, sell, barter, exchange, or have in his possession any of the implements commonly known as gaffs or slashers, or any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a gamecock or other fighting bird. The section also provides for forfeiture of such items, in addition to any sentence imposed by the court.
CA - Racing - § 597h. Live animals; attaching to power propelled device to be pursued by dogs West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597h This statute makes it unlawful to tie, attach, or fasten any live animal to any machine or device propelled by any power for the purpose of causing such animal to be pursued by a dog or dogs.
CA - Horse Tripping - Poling or tripping a horse; offenses; exceptions West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597g This section makes it a misdemeanor to pole or trip a horse for entertainment or sport. Poling is a method of training a horse to jump by forcing, persuading, or enticing a horse to lift its legs higher over a jump by hitting its front legs with a pole, rope, stick, etc. Tripping a horse is using a wire, pole, stick, rope, etc. to cause a horse to fall or lose its balance.
CA - Abandonment - § 597f. Failure to care for animals; duty of peace or humane officers; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597f (repealed) (Repealed in 2022). Every owner of any animal, who permits the animal to be without proper care and attention, shall, on conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. It shall be the duty of any peace officer, officer of the humane society, or officer of a pound or animal regulation department of a public agency, to take possession of the animal so abandoned or neglected and care for the animal until it is redeemed by the owner. Every sick, disabled, infirm, or crippled animal, except a dog or cat, may, if after due search no owner can be found therefor, be killed by the officer. all injured cats and dogs found without their owners in a public place directly to a veterinarian known by the officer or agency to be a veterinarian that ordinarily treats dogs and cats for a determination of whether the animal shall be immediately and humanely destroyed or shall be hospitalized under proper care and given emergency treatment.
CA - Impound - § 597e. Domestic animals; impounding without sufficient food or water; West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597e This statute requires anyone who impounds an animal to supply the animal with sufficient food and water. It also states that if an animal is not provided with food and water, a person may enter the pound where the animal is being held, and provide it with food and water without being liable for the entry.
CA - Fighting - § 597d. Fighting animals or birds; entries and arrests without warrant West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597d This provision allows for law enforcement officers to enter any place, building, or tenement, where there is an exhibition of the fighting of birds or animals, or where preparations are being made for such an exhibition, and, without a warrant, arrest all persons present.
CA - Fighting - § 597c. Animal fighting exhibitions; spectators; penalty West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597c Whoever owns, possesses, keeps, or trains any bird or animal, with the intent that such animal shall be engaged in an exhibition of fighting, or is present at such exhibition, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
CA - Fighting Animals - § 597b. Fighting animals or cockfighting; prohibition; penalties; aiding and abetting West's Ann. Cal. Penal Code § 597b This statute forbids anyone from causing a fight between any animal or creature for amusement or gain, or allowing an animal fight to take place on her premises. It also makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to be present at an animal fight.

Pages

more