Amended  IN  Assembly  June 04, 2019
Amended  IN  Senate  April 22, 2019

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill No. 787

Introduced by Committee on Agriculture (Senators Galgiani (Chair), Caballero, Glazer, and Wilk)

March 14, 2019

An act to amend Sections 1846 and 1847 of the Civil Code, to amend Section Sections 14502 and 14503 of the Corporations Code, to amend Sections 17003, 31607, 31621, 31622, 31752.5, 32001, and 32003 of the Food and Agricultural Code, to amend Section 25802 of the Government Code, to amend Sections 25988, 121690, 121916, 122045, 122125, 122137, 122322, and 122323 of the Health and Safety Code, and to amend Sections 597, 597.2, 597e, 597f, 597u, 597v, and 599e of the Penal Code, relating to animal welfare.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 787, as amended, Committee on Agriculture. Animal welfare.
Existing law governs the seizure, rescue, adopting out, and euthanasia of abandoned and surrendered animals by animal control officers, law enforcement officers, animal shelters, and rescue organizations, and uses various terms, such as “pound” and “poundmaster.”
This bill would replace the terms “pound” and “poundmaster” with “animal shelter” and “sheltermaster or shelter director,” respectively. The bill also would make nonsubstantive changes.
Existing law references the State Humane Association of California and the California Animal Control Directors Association in connection with animal welfare provisions.
This bill would replace those references with the California Animal Welfare Association to reflect the merger of those two entities.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 1846 of the Civil Code is amended to read:

1846.
 (a) A gratuitous depositary shall use, at least, slight care for the preservation of the thing deposited.
(b) A gratuitous depositary of a living animal shall provide the animal with necessary and prompt veterinary care, adequate nutrition and water, and shelter, and shall treat it humanely and, if the animal has any identification, make reasonable attempts to notify the owner of the animal’s location. Any gratuitous depositary that does not have sufficient resources or desire to provide that care shall promptly turn the animal over to an appropriate care facility.
(c) If the gratuitous depositary of a living animal is a public animal shelter, a shelter operated by a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or a humane shelter, the depositary shall comply with all other requirements of the Food and Agricultural Code regarding the impounding of live animals.

SEC. 2.

 Section 1847 of the Civil Code is amended to read:

1847.
 The duties of a gratuitous depositary cease:
(a) Upon restoration by the depositary of the thing deposited to its owner.
(b) Upon reasonable notice given by the depositary to the owner to remove it, and the owner failing to do so within a reasonable time. But an involuntary depositary, under subdivision (b) of Section 1815, may not give notice until the emergency that gave rise to the deposit is past. This subdivision shall not apply to a public animal shelter, a shelter operated by a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or a humane shelter. The duty to provide care, as required by Section 1846, continues until the public animal shelter or private shelter is lawfully relieved of responsibility for the animal.

SEC. 3.

 Section 14502 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:

14502.
 (a) (1) (A) (i) On and after July 1, 1996, no entity, other than a humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, shall be eligible to petition for confirmation of an appointment of any individual as a humane officer, the duty of which shall be the enforcement of the laws for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
(ii) On and after July 1, 1996, only a person who meets the requirements of this section may be appointed as, or perform the duties of, a humane officer.
(iii) Any person appointed as a humane officer prior to July 1, 1996, may continue to serve as a humane officer until the expiration of the term of appointment only if the appointing society maintains records pursuant to subparagraph (B) documenting that both the appointing society and the humane officer meet the requirements of this section.
(B) Each humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals for which an individual is acting as a humane officer shall maintain complete and accurate records documenting that the individual has successfully completed all requirements established in this section and shall make those records available, upon request, to the superior court, the Attorney General, or any entity duly authorized to review that information, including the State Humane Association of California. California Animal Welfare Association. The records shall include the full name and address of each humane officer.
(2) The humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall possess insurance of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) for liability for bodily injury or property damage.
(3) Each appointment of a humane officer shall be by separate resolution by the board of directors or trustees of the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals duly entered in its minutes. The resolution shall state the full name and address of the principal office of the appointing society, the full name of the person so appointed, the fact that he or she the person so appointed is a citizen of the State of California, that he or she the person so appointed has met the training requirements set forth in subdivision (h), and whether he or she the person so appointed is authorized to carry a weapon pursuant to this section. The resolution shall also designate the number of the badge to be allotted to the officer, and the date on which the term of office shall expire.
(b) A humane society or a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals seeking confirmation of a humane officer’s appointment shall comply with each of the following provisions:
(1) Prior to filing a Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of a Humane Officer under paragraph (3), the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information of all humane officer applicants for the purposes of obtaining information as to the existence and content of a record of state and federal convictions and state and federal arrests and also information as to the existence and content of a record of state and federal arrests for which the Department of Justice establishes that the person is free on bail or on his or her their own recognizance pending trial or appeal.
(A) When received, the Department of Justice shall forward to the Federal Bureau of Investigation requests for federal summary criminal history information received pursuant to this section. The Department of Justice shall review the information returned from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and compile and disseminate a fitness determination regarding the humane officer applicants to the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
(B) The Department of Justice shall provide a state response to the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.
(C) The humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall request from the Department of Justice subsequent arrest notification service, as provided pursuant to Section 11105.2 of the Penal Code, for persons whose appointments are confirmed as described in subdivision (c).
(D) The Department of Justice shall charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of processing the request described in this paragraph.
(2) When filing a Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of a Humane Officer under paragraph (3), the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall serve a copy of the petition on each of the following:
(A) The police department having jurisdiction in the city in which the principal office of the appointing society is located.
(B) The sheriff’s department having jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the appointing society is located.
(C) The Department of the California Highway Patrol.
(D) The State Humane Association of California. California Animal Welfare Association.
(E) The animal control agency having jurisdiction in the city in which the principal office of the appointing society is located. If the sheriff’s department or police department entitled to notice under subparagraph (A) or (B) provides animal control services for the city in which the principal office of the appointing society is located, no separate notice is required under this subparagraph.
(F) The Department of Justice.
(3) The humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall file with the superior court in and for the county or city and county in which the principal office of the humane society is located a Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of a Humane Officer, and shall attach to the petition all of the following:
(A) A copy of the resolution appointing the person, duly certified to be correct by the president and secretary of the society and attested by its seal.
(B) A copy of the criminal record offender information, if any, obtained regarding the person pursuant to paragraph (1).
(C) Proof of the society’s proper incorporation in compliance with Part 9 (commencing with Section 10400) of Division 2, including the date the articles of incorporation were filed with the Secretary of State.
(D) A copy of the society’s liability insurance policy for bodily injury or property damage in the amount of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000).
(E) Documentation establishing that the appointee has satisfactorily completed the training requirements set forth in this section.
(F) Documentation establishing that the society has a written agreement with another entity, such as a public or private animal shelter or licensed veterinary clinic, that (i) provides for the humane care and treatment of any animals seized by the society, (ii) is capable of preserving evidence that may be used to prosecute an animal cruelty case, and (iii) is compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including licensing laws. Alternatively, the society may provide documentation that it is operating its own animal shelter that meets the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii).
(G) If the society has not previously appointed a humane officer:
(i) An affidavit signed under penalty of perjury from the president of the society that demonstrates the society’s competence to appoint a humane officer by providing information, including, but not limited to, the following:
(I) Partnerships or collaborations, if any, with other nonprofit or community agencies.
(II) Cash reserve on hand, if any, to pay for veterinary expenses, housing, food, and care of seized animals.
(III) Established donor base, if any.
(IV) Current or prior law enforcement, legal, or other relevant experience, if any, of persons who will supervise the appointee.
(V) Current or prior experience of managers, if any, in operating a society or other nonprofit organization.
(VI) Statement that each board member is in good standing in the community and has not been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony involving animals.
(VII) Ongoing training beyond the minimum required for appointment of the humane officer, if any.
(VIII) The need for a humane officer in the society’s county.
(IX) Any other documentation demonstrating compliance with applicable federal, state, or local laws.
(ii) Affidavits, if any, from personnel of local animal control agencies, law enforcement agencies, or other societies pertaining to the appointee’s fitness to act as a humane officer.
(H) As the last page, proof of service of a copy of the petition upon those parties required to be served.
(4) Any party described in paragraph (2) may file an opposition to the petition described in paragraph (3). All papers filed in opposition to the petition and in reply to the opposition shall conform to law and motion pleading requirements, pursuant to Rule 3.1113(d) of the California Rules of Court. An opposition shall not exceed 15 pages and a reply shall not exceed 10 pages, excluding exhibits and declarations. The opposition shall be limited to the competency of the society to appoint and supervise a humane officer and the qualifications, background, and fitness of the appointee that are specific to the work of a humane officer.
(A) Any opposition shall be filed no later than 15 court days after the petition is filed with the court. Any opposition shall be served on all parties indicated on the proof of service attached to the petition.
(B) The petitioner’s reply, if any, to the opposition shall be filed within 10 court days after service of the opposition. The reply shall be served on all parties listed in the proof of service attached to the petition and to any other person who has filed an opposition.
(C) The court shall rule on the petition without a hearing unless the court notifies the parties of an intention to hold a hearing.
(D) The petitioner shall serve a certified copy of the court’s order ruling on the petition on all parties listed in the proof of service attached to the petition and to any other person or entity who has filed an opposition.
(c) (1) Upon receipt of the Petition for Order Confirming Appointment of a Humane Officer, the court shall first determine the society’s date of incorporation, and the length of time between the date the society filed its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State and the date it filed the petition described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) with the court. If the society was incorporated on or after January 1, 2011, then the following shall apply:
(A) For a petition to confirm appointment of a level 1 humane officer, the court shall issue an order denying confirmation of the appointment if a minimum of five years has not elapsed from the date the society filed its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State to the date it filed the petition.
(B) For a petition to confirm appointment of a level 2 humane officer, the court shall issue an order denying confirmation of the appointment if a minimum of one year has not elapsed from the date the society filed its articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State to the date it filed the petition.
(C) For a petition to confirm appointment of either a level 1 or level 2 humane officer, the court shall issue an order denying confirmation of the appointment if the society has not established, through submission of appropriate documentation, that the society is either operating its own animal shelter or has a written agreement with another entity, in compliance with subparagraph (F) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b).
(2) If the court has not issued an order denying the petition pursuant to paragraph (1), then the court shall review the matter of the appointee’s qualifications and fitness to act as a humane officer. The court shall also consider any documentation it has received in support of, or in opposition to, the confirmation of the person’s appointment. If the court finds that the appointee is qualified and fit to act as a humane officer, the court shall issue an order confirming the appointment. The society shall thereupon file a certified copy of the court order in the office of the county clerk of the county or city and county in which the court is located. The appointee shall, at the same time, take and subscribe the oath of office prescribed for constables or other peace officers. The society shall also provide a copy of the Order Confirming Appointment to the State Humane Association of California California Animal Welfare Association and the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice may charge a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining records of Orders Confirming Appointment. If the court does not find the appointee qualified and fit to act as a humane officer, the court shall issue an order denying confirmation of the appointment.
(d) If the court grants the petition, the county clerk shall immediately enter in a book to be kept in his or her the county clerk’s office and designated “Record of Humane Officers” the name of the officer, the name of the society appointing him or her, the officer, the number of his or her the officer’s badge, the date of the filing, and the case number of the court order confirming the appointment. At the time of the filing, the county clerk shall collect from the society a fee of five dollars ($5), which shall be full payment for all services to be performed by the county clerk under this section.
(e) All appointments of humane officers shall automatically expire if the society disbands or legally dissolves.
(f) (1) The society appointing an officer may revoke an appointment at any time by filing in the office of the county clerk in which the appointment of the officer is recorded a copy of the revocation in writing under the letterhead of the society and duly certified by its executive officer. Upon the filing the county clerk shall enter the fact of the revocation and the date of the filing thereof opposite the name of the officer in the record of humane officers.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any duly authorized sheriff or local police agency or the State Humane Association of California California Animal Welfare Association may initiate a revocation hearing by filing a petition to Revoke Appointment of a Humane Officer. The petition shall show cause why an appointment should be revoked and shall be made to the superior court in the jurisdiction of the appointment. Filing, service, and format of the petition and any oppositions and reply papers shall conform to the law and motion requirements under the Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, and this code. A proceeding pursuant to this paragraph shall be a special proceeding within the meaning of Section 23 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(A) Notice of the hearing date and a copy of the petition shall be served in the same manner as a summons upon the humane officer subject to the petition, the society that appointed the officer, the agencies and association described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b); except the party filing the petition shall not be required to serve copies of those documents upon itself.
(B) Upon a finding of good cause, the court shall issue an order granting the petition to revoke the appointment. The county clerk shall immediately enter the revocation and the date of the court order opposite the name of the officer in the record of humane officers. The clerk of the superior court shall give notice of the order to the parties described in subparagraph (A) and to the county clerk-recorder.
(g) The society appointing the humane officer shall pay the training expenses of the humane officer attending the training required pursuant to this section.
(h) (1) (A) A level 1 humane officer is not a peace officer, but may exercise the powers of a peace officer at all places within the state in order to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal and to that end may summon to his or her the officer’s aid any bystander. A level 1 humane officer may use reasonable force necessary to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal.
(B) A level 1 humane officer may make arrests for the violation of any penal law of this state relating to or affecting animals in the same manner as any peace officer and may serve search warrants.
(C) A level 1 humane officer is authorized to carry firearms while exercising the duties of a humane officer, upon satisfactory completion of the training specified in subparagraph (D), if the requirements in subparagraph (F) are met.
(D) A level 1 humane officer shall, prior to appointment, provide evidence satisfactory to the appointing society that he or she has the officer has successfully completed the following requirements:
(i) At least 20 hours of a course of training in animal care sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution or any other provider approved by the California Veterinary Medical Association the focus of which shall be the identification of disease, injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock.
(ii) At least 40 hours of a course of training in the state humane laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer, sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution, law enforcement agency, or the State Humane Association of California. California Animal Welfare Association.
(iii) The basic training for a level 1 reserve officer by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 832.6 of the Penal Code.
(E) A person shall not be appointed as a level 1 humane officer until he or she the person meets the criteria in Sections 1029, 1030, and 1031 of the Government Code. A humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall complete a background investigation, using standards defined by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training as guidelines for all level 1 humane officer appointments.
(F) (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a level 1 humane officer may carry a firearm only if authorized by, and only under the terms and conditions specified by, his or her the officer’s appointing society.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a level 1 humane officer shall not be authorized to carry a firearm unless and until his or her the officer’s appointing society has adopted a policy on the use of deadly force by its officers and the officer has been instructed in that policy.
(2) (A) A level 2 humane officer is not a peace officer, but may exercise the powers of a peace officer at all places within the state in order to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal and to that end may summon to his or her the officer’s aid any bystander. A level 2 humane officer may use reasonable force necessary to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal.
(B) A level 2 humane officer may make arrests for the violation of any penal law of this state relating to or affecting animals in the same manner as any peace officer and may serve search warrants during the course and within the scope of appointment, upon the successful completion of a course relating to the exercise of the police powers specified in Section 832 of the Penal Code, except the power to carry and use firearms.
(C) A level 2 humane officer is not authorized to carry firearms.
(D) A level 2 humane officer shall, prior to appointment, provide evidence satisfactory to the appointing society that he or she has the officer has successfully completed courses of training in the following subjects:
(i) At least 20 hours of a course of training in animal care sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution or any other provider approved by the California Veterinary Medical Association, the focus of which is the identification of disease, injury, and neglect in domestic animals and livestock.
(ii) At least 40 hours of a course of training in the state humane laws relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer, sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution, law enforcement agency, or the State Humane Association of California. California Animal Welfare Association.
(E) A person shall not be appointed as a level 2 humane officer until he or she the person meets the criteria in Sections 1029, 1030, and 1031 of the Government Code. A humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shall complete a background investigation, using standards defined by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training as guidelines, for all level 2 humane officer appointments.
(3) During each three-year period following the date on which the certified copy of the court order confirming the appointment of a humane officer was filed with the county clerk, the humane officer shall complete 40 hours of continuing education and training relating to the powers and duties of a humane officer, which education and training shall be sponsored or provided by an accredited postsecondary institution, law enforcement agency, or the State Humane Association of California. California Animal Welfare Association. A certificate of compliance shall be served no later than 21 days after the expiration of each three-year period on the Department of Justice with copies served on the superior court, agencies, and associations described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). The Department of Justice may charge a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining records of certificates of compliance. The certificate of compliance shall also include documentation that the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals is in compliance with subparagraph (F) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b). Service on the Department of Justice shall be in compliance with procedures set forth by the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice shall post the filing procedures, as they may be updated from time to time, on its Internet Web site. internet website. Failure to file the certificate of compliance with the Department of Justice no later than 21 days after the expiration of a three-year period shall result in immediate revocation of the appointment.
(4) If the humane officer is authorized to carry a firearm, he or she the officer shall complete ongoing weapons training and range qualifications at least every six months pursuant to subdivision (t) of Section 830.3 of the Penal Code. A certificate of compliance pursuant to this section shall be served no later than 21 days after the expiration of a six-month period on the Department of Justice with copies served on the superior court, and on the agencies and associations described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). The Department of Justice may charge a reasonable fee sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining records of certificates of compliance. The certificate of compliance shall also include documentation that the humane society or society for the prevention of cruelty to animals is in compliance with subparagraph (F) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b). Service on the Department of Justice shall be in compliance with procedures set forth by the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice shall post the filing procedures, as they may be updated from time to time, on its Internet Web site. internet website. Failure to file the certificate of compliance with the Department of Justice no later than 21 days after the expiration of a six-month period shall result in immediate revocation of the appointment.
(5) (A) A humane officer may carry a wooden club or baton if he or she the officer has satisfactorily completed the course of instruction certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in the carrying and use of the club or baton pursuant to subdivision (g) of Section 22295 of the Penal Code.
(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a humane officer may carry a wooden club or baton only if authorized by, and only under the terms and conditions specified by, his or her the officer’s appointing society.
(i) Every humane officer shall, when making an arrest, exhibit and expose a suitable badge to be adopted by the society under this part of which he or she the officer is an appointee which shall bear its name and a number. Uniforms worn by humane officers shall prominently display the name of the appointing society. Humane officer uniforms shall not display the words “state” or “California,” except to the extent that one or both of those words are part of the appointing society’s incorporated name.
(j) Any person resisting a humane officer in the performance of his or her the officer’s duty as provided in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who has not been appointed and qualified as a humane officer as provided in this section, or whose appointment has been revoked as provided in this section, or whose appointment, having expired, has not been renewed as provided in this section, who shall represent himself or herself themself to be or shall attempt to act as an officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(k) No humane officer shall serve a search warrant without providing prior notice to local law enforcement agencies operating within that jurisdiction.
(l) Any humane society, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or person, who knowingly provides a court with false or forged documentation for the appointment of a humane officer, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
(m) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a humane officer shall serve only in the county in which the court that appointed him or her the officer sits. A humane officer may serve in another county if the humane officer gives notice requesting consent to the sheriff of the county in which he or she the officer intends to serve, and acquires consent from that sheriff of the county in which he or she the officer intends to serve, or from a person authorized by the sheriff to give that consent. A sheriff shall promptly respond to any request by a humane officer to serve in his or her the sheriff’s jurisdiction and any request shall not be unreasonably denied.

SEC. 3.SEC. 4.

 Section 14503 of the Corporations Code is amended to read:

14503.
 The governing body of a local agency, by ordinance, may authorize employees of public animal shelters, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and humane societies, who have qualified as humane officers pursuant to Section 14502, and which societies or animal shelters have contracted with the local agency to provide animal care or protection services, to issue notices to appear in court pursuant to Chapter 5c (commencing with Section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code for violations of state or local animal control laws. Those employees shall not be authorized to take a person into custody even though the person to whom the notice is delivered does not give their written promise to appear in court. The authority of these employees is to be limited to the jurisdiction of the local agency authorizing the employees.

SEC. 4.SEC. 5.

 Section 17003 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

17003.
 (a) Except as provided in this section, this chapter does not affect any law, ordinance, or regulation regarding estrays, the sheltermaster, shelter director, or other shelter officer, or a public animal control agency or shelter within the limits of a city or county where those laws, ordinances, or regulations are in force.
(b) Upon the impounding of a bovine animal, horse, mule, sheep, swine, burro, alpaca, llama, or goat, the sheltermaster or shelter director, other animal shelter officer, or public animal control agency or shelter shall immediately notify the secretary. Upon receipt of that notice, the secretary shall take possession of the bovine animal and shall manage it pursuant to this chapter.
(c) A city, county, or city and county that establishes or has established laws, ordinances, or regulations regarding estrays, may opt to follow those laws, ordinances, or regulations instead of this chapter in the handling of estrays that are not bovine animals in accordance with the applicable laws, ordinances, or regulations of the city, county, or city and county.
(d) This section does not authorize any act that violates Section 597 of the Penal Code.

SEC. 5.SEC. 6.

 Section 31607 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

31607.
 “Impounded” means taken into the custody of the public animal shelter or animal control department or provider of animal control services to the city or city, county, or city and county where the potentially dangerous or vicious dog is found.

SEC. 6.SEC. 7.

 Section 31621 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

31621.
 If an animal control officer or a law enforcement officer has investigated and determined that there exists probable cause to believe that a dog is potentially dangerous or vicious, the chief officer of the public animal shelter or animal control department or their immediate supervisor or supervisor, the head of the local law enforcement agency, or their designee, shall petition the superior court of the county wherein the dog is owned or kept for a hearing for the purpose of determining whether or not the dog in question should be declared potentially dangerous or vicious. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case. A city or city, county, or city and county may establish an administrative hearing procedure to hear and dispose of petitions filed pursuant to this chapter. Whenever possible, a complaint received from a member of the public public, which serves as the evidentiary basis for the animal control officer or law enforcement officer to find probable cause cause, shall be sworn to and verified by the complainant and shall be attached to the petition. The chief officer of the public animal shelter or animal control department or head of the local law enforcement agency shall notify the owner or keeper of the dog that a hearing will be held by the superior court or the hearing entity, as the case may be, entity at which time the owner or keeper of the dog may present evidence as to why the dog should not be declared potentially dangerous or vicious. The owner or keeper of the dog shall be served with notice of the hearing and a copy of the petition, either personally or by first-class mail with return receipt requested. The hearing shall be held promptly within no less than 5 working days nor more than 10 working days after service of notice upon the owner or keeper of the dog. The hearing shall be open to the public. The court may admit into evidence all relevant evidence, including incident reports and the affidavits of witnesses, limit the scope of discovery, and may shorten the time to produce records or witnesses. A jury shall not be available. The court may find, upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the dog is potentially dangerous or vicious and make other orders authorized by this chapter.

SEC. 7.SEC. 8.

 Section 31622 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

31622.
 (a) After the hearing conducted pursuant to Section 31621, the owner or keeper of the dog shall be notified in writing of the determination and orders issued, either personally or by first-class mail postage prepaid by the court or hearing entity. If a determination is made that the dog is potentially dangerous or vicious, the owner or keeper of the dog shall comply with Article 3 (commencing with Section 31641) in accordance with a time schedule established by the chief officer of the public animal shelter or animal control department or the head of the local law enforcement agency, but in no case more than 30 days after the date of the determination or more than 35 days if notice of the determination is mailed to the owner or keeper of the dog. If the petitioner or the owner or keeper of the dog contests the determination, the person contesting may, within five days of the receipt of the notice of determination, appeal the decision of the court or hearing entity of original jurisdiction. The fee for filing an appeal, payable to the clerk of the court, is as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 70626 of the Government Code. If the original hearing held pursuant to Section 31621 was before a hearing entity other than a court of the jurisdiction, appeal shall be to the superior court. If the original hearing was held in the superior court, appeal shall be to the superior court before a judge other than the judge who originally heard the petition. The petitioner or the owner or keeper of the dog shall serve personally, or by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notice of the appeal upon the other party.
(b) The court hearing the appeal shall conduct a hearing de novo, without a jury, and make its own determination as to potential danger and viciousness, and make other orders authorized by this chapter, based upon the evidence presented. The hearing shall be conducted in the same manner and within the time periods set forth in Section 31621 and subdivision (a). The court may admit all relevant evidence, including incident reports and the affidavits of witnesses, limit the scope of discovery, and may shorten the time to produce records or witnesses. The issue shall be decided upon the preponderance of the evidence. If the court rules the dog to be potentially dangerous or vicious, the court may establish a time schedule to ensure compliance with this chapter, but in no case more than 30 days subsequent to the date of the court’s determination or more than 35 days if the service of the judgment is by first-class mail.

SEC. 8.SEC. 9.

 Section 31752.5 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

31752.5.
 (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(1) Domestic cats’ temperaments range from completely docile indoor pets to completely unsocialized outdoor cats that avoid all contact with humans.
(2) “Feral cats” Feral cats, as defined in subdivision (b), are cats with temperaments that are completely unsocialized, although frightened or injured tame pet cats may appear to be feral.
(3) Some people care for or own feral cats.
(4) Feral cats pose particular safety hazards for shelter employees.
(5) It is cruel to keep feral cats caged for long periods of time; however, it is not always easy to distinguish a feral cat from a frightened tame cat.
(b) For purposes of this section, a “feral cat” is defined as means a cat without owner identification of any kind whose usual and consistent temperament is extreme fear and resistance to contact with people. A feral cat is totally unsocialized to people.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 31752, if an apparently feral cat has not been reclaimed by its owner or caretaker within the first three days of the required holding period, shelter personnel qualified to verify the temperament of the animal shall verify whether it is feral or tame by using a standardized protocol. If the cat is determined to be docile or a frightened or difficult to tame cat, the cat shall be held for the entire required holding period specified in Section 31752. If the cat is determined to be truly feral, the cat may be euthanized or relinquished to a nonprofit, as defined in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, animal adoption organization that agrees to the spaying or neutering of the cat if it has not already been spayed or neutered. In addition to any required spay or neuter deposit, the animal shelter, at its discretion, may assess a fee, not to exceed the standard adoption fee, for the animal released.

SEC. 9.SEC. 10.

 Section 32001 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

32001.
 (a) All public animal shelters, shelters operated by societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and humane shelters, that contract to perform public animal control services, shall provide the owners of lost animals and those who find lost animals with all of the following:
(1) Ability to list the animals they have lost or found on “Lost and Found” lists maintained by the animal shelter.
(2) Referrals to animals listed that may be the animals the owners or finders have lost or found.
(3) The telephone numbers and addresses of other animal shelters in the same vicinity.
(4) Advice as to means of publishing and disseminating information regarding lost animals.
(5) The telephone numbers and addresses of volunteer groups that may be of assistance in locating lost animals.
(b) The duties imposed by this section are mandatory duties for public entities for all purposes of the Government Code and for all private entities with which a public entity has contracted to perform those duties.

SEC. 10.SEC. 11.

 Section 32003 of the Food and Agricultural Code is amended to read:

32003.
 All public and private animal shelters shall keep accurate records on each animal taken up, medically treated, or impounded. The records shall include all of the following information and any other information required by the California Veterinary Medical Board:
(a) The date the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded.
(b) The circumstances under which the animal was taken up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded.
(c) The names of the personnel who took up, medically treated, euthanized, or impounded the animal.
(d) A description of any medical treatment provided to the animal and the name of the veterinarian of record.
(e) The final disposition of the animal, including the name of the person who euthanized the animal or the name and address of the adopting party. These records shall be maintained for three years after the date on which the animal’s impoundment ends.

SEC. 11.SEC. 12.

 Section 25802 of the Government Code is amended to read:

25802.
 The board may maintain, regulate, and govern public animal shelters, fix the limits within which animals shall not run at large, and appoint sheltermasters or shelter directors. All expenses of operation and maintenance and the compensation of the sheltermasters or shelter directors shall be paid out of the fines imposed and collected from the owners of impounded animals, or from the general fund of the county, or both.

SEC. 12.SEC. 13.

 Section 25988 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

25988.
 A peace officer, officer of a humane society as qualified under Section 14502 or 14503 of the Corporations Code, or officer of an animal control or animal regulation department of a public agency, as qualified under Section 830.9 of the Penal Code, may issue a citation as prescribed in Section 25988.5, to any person or entity keeping horses or other equine animals for hire, if the person or entity fails to meet any of the following standards of humane treatment regarding the keeping of horses or other equine animals:
(a)  Any enclosure where an equine is primarily kept shall be of sufficient size to enable the equine to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down, and shall be kept free of excessive urine and waste matter.
(b)  Paddocks and corrals shall be of adequate size for the equine to move about freely.
(c)  Buildings, premises, and conveyances used in conjunction with equines shall be kept free of sharp objects, protrusions, or other materials that are likely to cause injury.
(d)  Equines shall be supplied with nutritionally adequate feed and clean water, in accordance with standards published by the Cooperative Extension of the Division of Agricultural Sciences of the University of California.
(e)  Tack and equipment shall be appropriate and fit properly.
(f)  After use, the equine shall be cooled out to a normal condition at rest.
(g)  When not being ridden, a saddled equine shall have available adequate shelter from the elements and have loosened saddle straps and girths.
(h)  An equine shall not be available for hire or use if the equine has any conditions that violate subdivision (b) of Section 597 or Section 597f of the Penal Code or any of the following conditions:
(1)  Sores or abrasions caused or likely to be irritated by the surfaces of saddles, girths, harnesses, or bridles.
(2)  Blindness in both eyes.
(3)  Improperly or inadequately trimmed and shod feet contrary to the standards regarding hoof care included in “A Guide: Minimum Standards of Horse Care in the State of California” published by the Center for Equine Health of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of California, Davis.
(i)  Each equine shall be individually identified through the use of humane methods, such as a detailed description, including, but not limited to, name, breed, color, markings, size, age, sex, and photograph.
(j)  Farrier and veterinary receipts shall be kept, and shall identify each equine treated.
(k)  Veterinary, farrier, and feed records shall be made available during normal business hours to the law enforcement officer. Upon failure to provide these records, the equine or equines in question may not be used for hire until the records are produced or an equine veterinarian certifies that the equine or equines are fit for labor.

SEC. 13.SEC. 14.

 Section 121690 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

121690.
 In rabies areas, all of the following shall apply:
(a) Every dog owner, after their dog attains the age of four months, shall no less than once every two years secure a license for the dog as provided by ordinance of the responsible city, city and county, or county. License fees shall be fixed by the responsible city, city and county, or county, at an amount not to exceed limitations otherwise prescribed by state law or city, city and county, or county charter.
(b) (1) Every dog owner, after their dog attains the age of three months or older, shall, at intervals of time not more often than once a year, as may be prescribed by the department, procure its vaccination by a licensed veterinarian with a canine antirabies vaccine approved by the department and administered according to the vaccine label, unless a licensed veterinarian determines, on an annual basis, that a rabies vaccination would endanger the dog’s life due to disease or other considerations that the veterinarian can verify and document. The responsible city, county, or city and county may specify the means by which the dog owner is required to provide proof of their dog’s rabies vaccination, including, but not limited to, by electronic transmission or facsimile.
(2) A request for an exemption from the requirements of this subdivision shall be submitted on an approved form developed by the department, and shall include a signed statement by the veterinarian explaining the inadvisability of the vaccination and a signed statement by the dog owner affirming that the owner understands the consequences and accepts all liability associated with owning a dog that has not received the canine antirabies vaccine. The request shall be submitted to the local health officer, who may issue an exemption from the canine antirabies vaccine.
(3) The local health officer shall report exemptions issued pursuant to this subdivision to the department.
(4) A dog that is exempt from the vaccination requirements of this section shall be considered unvaccinated.
(5) A dog that is exempt from the vaccination requirements of this section shall, at the discretion of the local health officer or the officer’s designee, be confined to the premises of the owner, keeper, or harborer and, when off the premises, shall be on a leash the length of which shall not exceed six feet and shall be under the direct physical control of an adult. A dog that is exempt from this section shall not have contact with a dog or cat that is not currently vaccinated against rabies.
(c) All dogs under four months of age shall be confined to the premises of, or kept under physical restraint by, the owner, keeper, or harborer. Nothing in this chapter and Section 120435 shall be construed to prevent the sale or transportation of a puppy four months old or younger.
(d) A dog in violation of this chapter and any additional provisions that may be prescribed by a local governing body shall be impounded, as provided by local ordinance.
(e) The governing body of each city, city and county, or county shall maintain or provide for the maintenance of an animal shelter system and a rabies control program for the purpose of carrying out and enforcing this section.
(f) (1) Each city, county, or city and county shall provide dog vaccination clinics, or arrange for dog vaccination at clinics operated by veterinary groups or associations, held at strategic locations throughout each city, city and county, or county. The vaccination and licensing procedures may be combined as a single operation in the clinics. No charge in excess of the actual cost shall be made for any one vaccination at a clinic. No owner of a dog shall be required to have their dog vaccinated at a public clinic if the owner elects to have the dog vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian of the owner’s choice.
(2) All public clinics shall be required to operate under antiseptic immunization conditions comparable to those used in the vaccination of human beings.
(g) In addition to the authority provided in subdivision (a), the ordinance of the responsible city, city and county, or county may provide for the issuance of a license for a period not to exceed three years for dogs that have attained the age of 12 months or older and have been vaccinated against rabies or one year for dogs exempted from the vaccination requirement pursuant to subdivision (b). The person to whom the license is issued pursuant to this subdivision may choose a license period as established by the governing body of up to one, two, or three years. However, when issuing a license pursuant to this subdivision, the license period shall not extend beyond the remaining period of validity for the current rabies vaccination and, if a dog is exempted from the vaccination requirement pursuant to subdivision (b), the license period shall not extend beyond one year. A dog owner who complies with this subdivision shall be deemed to have complied with the requirements of subdivision (a).
(h) All information obtained from a dog owner by compliance with this chapter is confidential to the dog owner and proprietary to the veterinarian. This information shall not be used, distributed, or released for any purpose, except to ensure compliance with existing federal, state, county, or city laws or regulations.

SEC. 14.SEC. 15.

 Section 121916 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

121916.
 (a) A person or owner of an attack, guard, or sentry dog that operates or maintains a business to sell, rent, or train an attack, guard, or sentry dog shall obtain a permit from the local public agency or private society or animal shelter contracting with the local public agency for animal care or protection services.
(b) Each local agency shall adopt and implement a permit program for the administration of subdivision (a) by the local agency or private society or animal shelter contracting with the local public agency for animal care or protection services. A local agency may charge a fee for the issuance or renewal of a permit required under this section. The fee shall not exceed the actual costs for the implementation of the permit program.
(c) For purposes of this section, “local public agency” means a city, county, or city and county.

SEC. 15.SEC. 16.

 Section 122045 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

122045.
 (a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the Polanco-Lockyer Pet Breeder Warranty Act.
(b) Every breeder of dogs shall comply with this article. As used in For purposes of this article, “dog breeder,” or “breeder” means a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other association that has sold, transferred, or given away all or part of three or more litters or 20 or more dogs during the preceding 12 months that were bred and reared on the premises of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other association.
(c) For the purposes of this article, “purchaser” means any person who purchases a dog from a breeder.
(d) This article shall not apply to pet dealers regulated under Article 2 (commencing with Section 122125), or to publicly operated animal shelters, humane societies, or privately operated rescue organizations.

SEC. 16.SEC. 17.

 Section 122125 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

122125.
 (a) This article shall be known and may be cited as the Lockyer-Polanco-Farr Pet Protection Act.
(b) Every pet dealer of dogs and cats shall conform to this article. As used in this article, “ pet dealer” means a person engaging in the business of selling dogs or cats, or both, at retail, and by virtue of the sales of dogs and cats is required to possess a permit pursuant to Section 6066 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. For purposes of this article, the separate sales of dogs or cats from a single litter shall constitute only one sale under Section 6019 of the Revenue and Taxation Code. This definition does not apply to breeders of dogs regulated pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 122045) nor to a person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other association, that breeds or rears dogs on the premises of the person, firm, partnership, corporation, or other association, that has sold, transferred, or given away fewer than 50 dogs in the preceding year.
(c) For purposes of this article, “purchaser” means a person who purchases a dog or cat from a pet dealer without the intent to resell the animal.
(d) This article shall not apply to publicly operated animal shelters and humane societies.

SEC. 18.

 Section 122137 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

122137.
 (a)  (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature and the purpose of this section to inform consumers who purchase dogs and cats from retail pet dealers about the benefits of spaying and neutering and the importance of establishing a relationship with a veterinarian, and to facilitate dog licensing by encouraging pet dealers to promote licensure compliance.
(2)  The Legislature declares that pet dealers, when feasible, should offer incentives to purchasers to encourage the use of spaying and neutering services, and that local animal control agencies should investigate selling licenses through pet shops, or making licensure applications available in pet shops, since these businesses already serve a large number of pet owners through the sale of pet supplies.
(b)  Every pet dealer shall deliver to the purchaser of each dog or cat at the time of sale, written material, in a form determined by the pet dealer, containing information on the benefits of spaying and neutering. The written material shall include recommendations on establishing a relationship with a veterinarian, information on early-age spaying and neutering, the health benefits associated with spaying and neutering pets, the importance of minimizing the risk of homeless or unwanted animals, and the need to comply with applicable license laws.
(c)  The delivering of any model materials prepared by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, the California Animal Control Directors Welfare Association, the State Humane Association of California, and the California Veterinary Medical Association shall satisfy the requirements of subdivision (b).

SEC. 17.SEC. 19.

 Section 122322 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

122322.
 (a) A person violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation. The action may be prosecuted in the name of the people of the State of California by the district attorney for the county where the violation occurred in the appropriate court or by the city attorney in the city where the violation occurred.
(b) Nothing in this chapter limits or authorizes any act or omission that violates Section 597 of the Penal Code.
(c) Nothing in this chapter shall authorize the seizure of an unweaned bird by a peace officer, officer of a humane society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency.

SEC. 18.SEC. 20.

 Section 122323 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to read:

122323.
 This chapter does not apply to publicly operated animal shelters and humane societies.

SEC. 19.SEC. 21.

 Section 597 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

597.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this section or Section 599c, every person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal, or maliciously and intentionally kills an animal, is guilty of a crime punishable pursuant to subdivision (d).
(b) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (a) or (c), every person who overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, cruelly beats, mutilates, or cruelly kills any animal, or causes or procures any animal to be so overdriven, overloaded, driven when overloaded, overworked, tortured, tormented, deprived of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter, or to be cruelly beaten, mutilated, or cruelly killed; and whoever, having the charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, subjects any animal to needless suffering, or inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon the animal, or in any manner abuses any animal, or fails to provide the animal with proper food, drink, or shelter or protection from the weather, or who drives, rides, or otherwise uses the animal when unfit for labor, is, for each offense, guilty of a crime punishable pursuant to subdivision (d).
(c) Every person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, or tortures any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish, as described in subdivision (e), is guilty of a crime punishable pursuant to subdivision (d).
(d)  A violation of subdivision (a), (b), or (c) is punishable as a felony by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, or alternatively, as a misdemeanor by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.
(e) (1) Subdivision (c) applies to any mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, or fish that is a creature described as follows:
(A) Endangered species or threatened species as described in Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 2050) of Division 3 of the Fish and Game Code.
(B) Fully protected birds described in Section 3511 of the Fish and Game Code.
(C) Fully protected mammals described in Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4700) of Part 3 of Division 4 of the Fish and Game Code.
(D) Fully protected reptiles and amphibians described in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 5050) of Division 5 of the Fish and Game Code.
(E) Fully protected fish as described in Section 5515 of the Fish and Game Code.
(2) This subdivision does not supersede or affect any provisions of law relating to taking of the described species, including, but not limited to, Section 12008 of the Fish and Game Code.
(f) For the purposes of subdivision (c), each act of malicious and intentional maiming, mutilating, or torturing a separate specimen of a creature described in subdivision (e) is a separate offense. If any person is charged with a violation of subdivision (c), the proceedings shall be subject to Section 12157 of the Fish and Game Code.
(g) (1) Upon the conviction of a person charged with a violation of this section by causing or permitting an act of cruelty, as defined in Section 599b, all animals lawfully seized and impounded with respect to the violation by a peace officer, officer of a humane society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency shall be adjudged by the court to be forfeited and shall thereupon be awarded to the impounding officer for proper disposition. A person convicted of a violation of this section by causing or permitting an act of cruelty, as defined in Section 599b, shall be liable to the impounding officer for all costs of impoundment from the time of seizure to the time of proper disposition.
(2) Mandatory seizure or impoundment shall not apply to animals in properly conducted scientific experiments or investigations performed under the authority of the faculty of a regularly incorporated medical college or university of this state.
(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a defendant is granted probation for a conviction under this section, the court shall order the defendant to pay for, and successfully complete, counseling, as determined by the court, designed to evaluate and treat behavior or conduct disorders. If the court finds that the defendant is financially unable to pay for that counseling, the court may develop a sliding fee schedule based upon the defendant’s ability to pay. An indigent defendant may negotiate a deferred payment schedule, but shall pay a nominal fee if the defendant has the ability to pay the nominal fee. County mental health departments or Medi-Cal shall be responsible for the costs of counseling required by this section only for those persons who meet the medical necessity criteria for mental health managed care pursuant to Section 1830.205 of Title 9 of the California Code of Regulations or the target population criteria specified in Section 5600.3 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. The counseling specified in this subdivision shall be in addition to any other terms and conditions of probation, including any term of imprisonment and any fine. This provision specifies a mandatory additional term of probation and is not to be used as an alternative to imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 or county jail when that sentence is otherwise appropriate. If the court does not order custody as a condition of probation for a conviction under this section, the court shall specify on the court record the reason or reasons for not ordering custody. This subdivision shall not apply to cases involving police dogs or horses as described in Section 600.

SEC. 20.SEC. 22.

 Section 597.2 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

597.2.
 (a) It shall be the duty of an officer of an animal shelter, humane society, or animal regulation department of a public agency to assist in a case involving the abandonment or voluntary relinquishment of an equine by the equine’s owner. This section does not require an animal shelter, humane society, or animal regulation department of a public agency to take actual possession of the equine.
(b) If an animal shelter, humane society, or animal regulation department of a public agency sells an equine at a private or public auction or sale, it shall set the minimum bid for the sale of the equine at a price above the current slaughter price of the equine.
(c) (1) This section does not prohibit an animal shelter, humane society, or animal regulation department of a public agency from placing an equine through an adoption program at an adoption fee that may be set below current slaughter price.
(2) A person adopting an equine under paragraph (1) shall submit a written statement declaring that the person is adopting the equine for personal use and not for purposes of resale, resale for slaughter, or holding or transporting the equine for slaughter.

SEC. 21.SEC. 23.

 Section 597e of the Penal Code is amended to read:

597e.
 (a) (1) A person who impounds, or causes to be impounded in an animal shelter, any domestic animal, shall supply it during the confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water.
(2) A person in violation of this requirement is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) In case a domestic animal is at any time impounded and continues to be without necessary food and water for more than 12 consecutive hours, it is lawful for a person, from time to time, as may be deemed necessary, to enter into and upon an animal shelter in which the animal is confined, and supply it with necessary food and water so long as it remains confined. That person is not liable for the entry and may collect the reasonable cost of the food and water from the owner of the animal, and the animal is subject to enforcement of a money judgment for the reasonable cost of the food and water.

SEC. 22.Section 597f of the Penal Code is amended to read:
597f.

(a)Every owner, driver, or possessor of any animal, who permits the animal to be in any building, enclosure, lane, street, square, or lot, of any city, city and county, or judicial district, without proper care and attention, shall, on conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. And it shall be the duty of any peace officer, officer of the humane society, or officer of an animal shelter 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 or claimant, and the cost of caring for the animal shall be a lien on the animal until the charges are paid. Every sick, disabled, infirm, or crippled animal, except a dog or cat, which shall be abandoned in any city, city and county, or judicial district, may, if after due search no owner can be found therefor, be killed by the officer; and it shall be the duty of all peace officers, an officer of that society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency to cause the animal to be killed on information of that abandonment. The officer may likewise take charge of any animal, including a dog or cat, that by reason of lameness, sickness, feebleness, or neglect, is unfit for the labor it is performing, or that in any other manner is being cruelly treated; and, if the animal is not then in the custody of its owner, the officer shall give notice thereof to the owner, if known, and may provide suitable care for the animal until it is deemed to be in a suitable condition to be delivered to the owner, and any necessary expenses which may be incurred for taking care of and keeping the animal shall be a lien thereon, to be paid before the animal can be lawfully recovered.

(b)(1)It shall be the duty of all officers of animal shelters or humane societies, and animal regulation departments of public agencies to convey, and for police and sheriff departments, to cause to be conveyed 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.

(2)If the owner does not redeem the animal within the locally prescribed waiting period, the veterinarian may personally perform euthanasia on the animal; or, if the animal is treated and recovers from its injuries, the veterinarian may keep the animal for purposes of adoption, provided the responsible animal control agency has first been contacted and has refused to take possession of the animal.

(3)Whenever any animal is transferred pursuant to this subdivision to a veterinarian in a clinic, such as an emergency clinic that is not in continuous operation, the veterinarian may, in turn, transfer the animal to an appropriate facility.

(4)If the veterinarian determines that the animal shall be hospitalized under proper care and given emergency treatment, the costs of any services which are provided pending the owner’s inquiry to the agency, department, or society shall be paid from the dog license fees, fines, and fees for impounding dogs in the city, county, or city and county in which the animal was licensed or if the animal is unlicensed the jurisdiction in which the animal was found, subject to the provision that this cost be repaid by the animal’s owner. No veterinarian shall be criminally or civilly liable for any decision that the veterinarian makes or services that the veterinarian provides pursuant to this section.

(c)An animal control agency that takes possession of an animal pursuant to subdivision (b) shall keep records of the whereabouts of the animal for a 72-hour period from the time of possession, and those records shall be available to inspection by the public upon request.

(d)Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department or humane society, or any officer of a police or sheriff’s department may, with the approval of the officer’s immediate superior, humanely destroy any abandoned animal in the field in any case where the animal is too severely injured to move, or where a veterinarian is not available and it would be more humane to dispose of the animal.

SEC. 23.SEC. 24.

 Section 597u of the Penal Code is amended to read:

597u.
 (a) A person, peace officer, officer of a humane society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency shall not kill an animal by using either of the following methods:
(1) Carbon monoxide gas.
(2) Intracardiac injection of a euthanasia agent on a conscious animal, unless the animal is heavily sedated or anesthetized in a humane manner, or comatose, or unless, in light of all the relevant circumstances, the procedure is justifiable.
(b) With respect to the killing of a dog or cat, a person, peace officer, officer of a humane society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency shall not use any of the methods specified in subdivision (a) or any of the following methods:
(1) High-altitude decompression chamber.
(2) Nitrogen gas.
(3) Carbon dioxide gas.

SEC. 24.SEC. 25.

 Section 597v of the Penal Code is amended to read:

597v.
 A person, peace officer, officer of a humane society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency shall not kill 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.

SEC. 25.SEC. 26.

 Section 599e of the Penal Code is amended to read:

599e.
 Every animal that is unfit, by reason of its physical condition, for the purpose for which those animals are usually employed, and when there is no reasonable probability of the animal ever becoming fit for the purpose for which it is usually employed, shall be by the owner or lawful possessor of the same, deprived of life within 12 hours after being notified by a peace officer, officer of a humane society, or employee of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency who is a veterinarian, to kill the same, and the owner, possessor, or person omitting or refusing to comply with this section shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and after that conviction the court or magistrate having jurisdiction of the offense shall order a peace officer, officer of a humane society, or officer of an animal shelter or animal regulation department of a public agency, to immediately kill the animal. This section shall not apply to an owner keeping any old or diseased animal belonging to the owner on the owner’s own premises with proper care.