Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, has introduced legislation aimed at speeding up the transfer of abused animals from shelters into foster homes or permanent care while animal cruelty cases move through California courts.
Assembly Bill 2344 would allow prosecutors to ask a court to transfer animals to shelters, foster homes, animal care facilities or adoptive homes if a defendant in an animal cruelty case fails to appear in court for 30 days.
According to Haney, the measure would reduce overcrowding in shelters and prevent animals from spending months or years confined while cases slowly move through the legal system.
“Animals are completely dependent on us for care and protection, and when that trust is shattered through abuse, we have a moral obligation to act,” Haney said in a statement Tuesday.
Under the proposal, if a petition is approved, a forfeiture hearing would be held within 14 days in the same court handling the cruelty case.
“Animals rescued from abuse should not be forced to spend months or even years languishing in shelters while criminal cases slowly move through the courts.”
Judie Mancuso, Social Compassion in Legislation
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed support for the legislation, saying people accused of severe animal abuse should not retain control over animals while criminal cases are pending.
“Animal cruelty is deliberate violence against living beings, and offenders who commit these acts must be held fully accountable,” Hochman said in a statement released by Haney’s office.
Backers of the bill say long shelter stays can lead to serious behavioral and physical problems in animals, including anxiety, aggression and self-destructive behavior that can make adoption more difficult.
“Animals rescued from abuse should not be forced to spend months or even years languishing in shelters while criminal cases slowly move through the courts,” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, whose organization is co-sponsoring the legislation.
The bill is scheduled to be heard Thursday in the State Assembly Appropriations Committee.