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CALIFORNIA ANIMAL LAWS
Click here to learn about the newest animal laws as of January 1, 2007
- You must provide food,
water, shelter, and proper veterinary medical care for your animal. (California
Penal Code Sections 597b and 597f)
-
You
can not chain, tether, or tie out your dog to a stationary object. The law provides
some exceptions such as permitting a “running line, trolley or pulley
system” so long as the dog is not wearing a prong collar or choke
chain. Violation of the law is an infraction or misdemeanor and may
lead to fines of $250 to $1,000 and possible incarceration for up to
six months. The animal must be able to reach food, water and shelter.
Food and water containers must not be able to be tipped over. (Health
and safety Code 122335)
- It is prohibited to
leave an animal in an unattended motor
vehicle under “circumstances that could reasonably be expected to
cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.”. Even
on a cool day, an animal left in a vehicle in the sun could be
subjected to extreme temperatures. (California
Penal Code Section 597.7)

- Animals carried in the back of pick-up trucks must be safely
enclosed within a secured cage, cross tether, harness or other device
that will prevent the animal from falling, jumping or being thrown
from the truck in an accident. (California
Vehicle Code Section 23117)
- If you hit an animal
with your vehicle in Monterey County, you are required to stop and
give assistance to the animal. You are also required by law to notify
the police or sheriff and attempt to contact the owner of the animal.
(Monterey County Ordinance Title 8 Section 8.44.050)
-
It is a crime in the
state of California to
abandon any animal. If you are unable to find a home for your
animal and you reside within Monterey County, please surrender your
animal to The SPCA for Monterey County. If you reside outside of
Monterey County, please contact your local humane society or your
local animal control facility for assistance. (California
Penal Code Section 597s)
- Maliciously
neglecting, harming, killing or poisoning an animal can be charged as
a felony and may carry a penalty of one year or more in state prison
and/or a $20,000 fine. (California
Penal Code Section 597a)
NEW LAWS FOR 2007:
The following three California State
laws went into effect on January 1, 2007
Dog Tethering,
Health and
Safety Code Section 122335,
restricts tethering a dog.
Prior to passage of this law, chaining a dog 24 hours a day was, in our
view, cruel but was permissible under state law. Chaining a dog is akin
to putting it in solitary confinement and often produces dangerous
levels of aggression, and a disproportionate amount of dog bites, as a
result. The law provides some exceptions such as permitting a “running
line, trolley or pulley system” so long as the dog is not wearing a
prong collar or choke chain. A dog may be tethered in order to complete
a temporary task that requires the dog to be restrained for a reasonable
period (not to exceed three hours within a 24-hour period) Violation of
the law can be cited as an infraction or misdemeanor and may lead to
fines of $250 to $1,000 and possible incarceration for up to six
months. Click here to learn some easy alternatives to tethering your dog!
Animals
Unattended in Vehicles,
California
Penal Code section 597.7,
prohibits leaving an animal in an unattended motor vehicle under
“circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering,
disability, or death to the animal.” The law explicitly permits
various enforcement agencies, including Humane Officers, to take the
steps necessary to remove the animal from the situation, including
breaking into the vehicle after making a reasonable effort to find the
owner. In passing this law, the legislature acknowledged that
educational approaches are not effective unless “. . . integrated with
enforcement activity.” The SPCA has always followed a protocol of
breaking into a vehicle if the animals’ life was clearly at risk. This
law codifies that activity and protects The SPCA and our Humane
Investigators from criminal charges and unwarranted lawsuits over damage
to vehicles.
Cockfighting,
California
Penal Code sections 597b, 597c, and 597j,
addresses cockfighting. The most important amendment brings
California in accord with neighboring states Oregon, Nevada, and
Arizona, as well as with most other states in providing felony level
penalties for cockfighting. California will now provide the option of a
felony level penalty with incarceration from one to three years and up
to a $25,000 fine upon a second conviction. The law also provides that
it is a misdemeanor to be knowingly present at a cockfight. With this
law, cock fighters can no longer view California as a safe haven in
which to raise and fight their birds. In addition to the humane issues,
the legislature acknowledged the economic and public health role cock
fighting played in the spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease and the
potential for cock fighters to spread the much more dangerous Avian Flu
in the same way.
HOW TO REPORT:
To report animal neglect or abuse, call
831-373-2631 or 422-4721 x213, or
click here to complete an online
report form.
All reports are confidential.
Animal cruelty does not
include barking dogs, disruptive cats or loose animals. If you have a
problem with a loud animal call your local police agency. If you see a
loose animal, a vicious animal, or an injured domestic animal on the side of the
road call your local animal control.
Click here for a
list of local Animal Control Offices.
If you see injured wildlife or are unable to reach Animal Control for an
injured domestic animal, please contact The SPCA at 831-373-2631 or
422-4721 or after hours at 831-646-5534.
Learn About
The SPCA's
Humane Investigations Services
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