LINCOLN HEIGHTS (CNS) – San Francisco Assemblyman Matt Haney and other animal welfare advocates gathered at a Lincoln Heights animal shelter Monday to promote a bill to streamline the adoption process for animals rescued from abuse and neglect cases.
Assembly Bill 2344, known as the Justice for Seized Animals Act, would allow animals seized in cruelty and neglect investigations to be transferred from shelters to foster homes, rescue organizations or other appropriate placements before related criminal cases are resolved.
The measure passed the state Assembly on a 78-0 vote last month and will go to the state Senate. The bill is co-sponsored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and Social Compassion in Legislation.
“Every single animal deserves to be supported, deserves to have a loving home and should not be held in limbo, stuck in a cage while a flawed court process plays out,” Haney, a Democrat, said while flanked by local and other state officials at a news conference outside the North Central Animal Shelter. “That’s what’s happening right now in our state for far too many animals who rely on us for their care.”
What animal control officials want most is to find loving, “forever” homes for the animals under their care, especially those that have already been harmed, said the assemblyman, as an Australian cattle dog who was rescued four months ago sat nearby.
“Those animals right now are being re-victimized because our law does not allow them to be adopt them out while the court proceeding are under way,” he said, adding that is the case even when a foster or permanent home is available. “That’s true even in the cases where the defendant doesn’t even show up to court.”
According to supporters, animals seized in cruelty cases can remain in shelters for months or years while criminal proceedings crawl through the court system. The bill would authorize agencies that seize or impound animals to petition a court for authority to transfer custody before a criminal case concludes.
“Animal abuse is cruelty in its purest form, and we are committed to using every tool available to stop it,” Hochman said in a statement. “The Assembly’s unanimous passage of this bill underscores how seriously California is taking this issue.”
The pending legislation would also allow prosecutors to seek court orders prohibiting defendants granted diversion in certain animal cruelty cases from owning, possessing or caring for animals.
“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,” said Haney, who described himself as a dad to two rescued tabby cats.
Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, said the bill would help prevent abused animals from remaining in shelters for extended periods while cases proceed through the legal system.
“The unanimous Assembly floor vote sends a powerful message that California will not tolerate prolonged suffering for animal victims of abuse,” Mancuso said.
Haney said it costs around $100 a day to shelter an animal while the court process plays out.
Under the new bill, if a defendant doesn’t appear within 30 days, a special proceeding can be initiated to expedite adoption, he said.
According to county animal control officials, the average shelter stay for an animal whose owner shows up in court to answer to abuse allegations is around 100 days while the average stay for the animal of a no-show defendant tops 200 days.
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