Harsher Animal Neglect Penalties

On August 12, the California State Senate passed bill AB 2012 to strengthen penalties for animal neglect, which occurs when a guardian does not provide adequate care for a companion animal by means of food, water, shelter, veterinary care, or abandonment. Currently in California, animal abuse and animal neglect are treated as separate crimes, and while the monetary punishment is the same for both, the maximum incarceration punishment is 12 months for animal abuse and only six months for animal neglect. If passed by the California State Assembly and approved by the Governor, those found guilty of animal neglect could face up to a year in prison, as well as a possible fine of $20,000. The bill was authored by Assemblymember Ted Lieu and is sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), among other groups.