BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | AB 670|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 670
Author: Spitzer (R), et al
Amended: 6/27/07 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE : 5-0, 6/19/07
AYES: Romero, Cogdill, Cedillo, Margett, Ridley-Thomas
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 76-0, 05/07/07 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT : Animals: bites: owner information
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill requires a person who owns or has
custody or control of an animal to, as soon as is
practicable, but no later than 48 hours thereafter, provide
identifying information to another person when the person
knows, or has reason to know, the animal bit the other
person, as specified. Failure to provide the required
information would be an infraction, punishable by a fine of
not more than $100.
ANALYSIS : Existing law makes it a misdemeanor or a
felony for a person owning or having custody or control of
a mischievous animal to negligently allow the animal to
cause serious bodily injury to another person, as
specified.
CONTINUED
AB 670
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This bill provides that whenever a person owning or having
custody or control of an animal, knows, or has reason to
know, that the animal bit another person, he or she shall,
as soon as is practicable, but no later than 48 hours
thereafter, provide the other person with his or her name,
address, telephone number, and the name and license tag
number of the animal who bit the other person.
This bill provides that if the person with custody or
control of the animal at the time the bite occurs is a
minor, he or she shall instead provide identification or
contact information of an adult owner or responsible party.
This bill provides that if the animal is required by law to
be vaccinated against rabies, the person owning or having
custody or control of the animal shall, within 48 hours of
the bite, provide the other person with information
regarding the status of the animal's vaccinations.
This bill provides that it is necessary for the skin of the
person be broken or punctured by the animal for the contact
to be classified as a bite.
This bill provides that a violation of this section is an
infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $100.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: Yes
SUPPORT : (Verified 7/9/07)
Orange County Medical Association
City of Yucaipa
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : According to the author's office,
this bill requires a person who owns or has custody of an
animal, and knows the animal bit another person, to as soon
as practicable, but no longer than 48 hours, provide the
other person with the name, address, telephone number, and
the name, license tag number of the animal who bit the
other person. If the animal is required by law to be
vaccinated against rabies, the person owning or having
AB 670
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custody or control of the animal shall, within 48 hours of
the bite, provide the other person with information
regarding the status of the animal's vaccinations. Failure
to do so would result in a $100 infraction.
The idea for this bill came from a constituent who, while
walking on the beach, was bitten by a dog on a leash. The
owner of the dog left the scene without providing any
assistance or information. In the same way that those who
are involved in auto accidents are required to exchange
information, people whose animals bite others have
responsibility to assist the victim and to provide
information regarding their identity, and the identity and
health status of the animal.
ASSEMBLY FLOOR : 76-0, 5/7/07
AYES: Adams, Aghazarian, Anderson, Arambula, Bass, Beall,
Benoit, Berg, Berryhill, Blakeslee, Brownley, Caballero,
Charles Calderon, Carter, Cook, Coto, Davis, De La Torre,
De Leon, DeSaulnier, DeVore, Duvall, Dymally, Emmerson,
Eng, Feuer, Fuller, Gaines, Galgiani, Garcia, Garrick,
Hancock, Hayashi, Hernandez, Horton, Houston, Huff,
Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Karnette, Keene, Krekorian, La
Malfa, Laird, Leno, Levine, Lieber, Ma, Maze, Mendoza,
Mullin, Nakanishi, Nava, Niello, Parra, Plescia,
Portantino, Price, Richardson, Sharon Runner, Ruskin,
Salas, Saldana, Silva, Smyth, Solorio, Spitzer,
Strickland, Swanson, Torrico, Tran, Villines, Walters,
Wolk, Nunez
NO VOTE RECORDED: Evans, Lieu, Soto, Vacancy
RJG:nl 7/11/07 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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