BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 2012
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 12, 2010 

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    AB 2012 (Lieu) - As Amended:  April 28, 2010 

          Policy Committee:                              Public  
          SafetyVote:  7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill increases the misdemeanor penalty from up to six  
          months in the county jail to up to one year in county jail for  
          specified animal cruelty or neglect.  

           FISCAL EFFECT

           Unknown, likely minor, nonreimbursable local incarceration to  
          the extent this bill results in longer county jail terms.

           COMMENTS

          Rationale  . The author contends this bill addresses an anomaly in  
          current law whereby cruelty is punishable by up to one year in  
          county jail and/or a fine of up to $20,000, whereas arguably  
          equally egregious instances of animal neglect are limited to a  
          penalty of up to six months in county jail, and/or a fine of up  
          to $20,000. 

          According to the author, "Cases of animal neglect are prevalent,  
          and it occurs when one deprives an animal of basic needs,  
          including shelter, nutrition, and medical care. In a study of  
          1,400 animal cruelty cases conducted by the Humane Society, 41  
          percent of the cases involved animal neglect. This overwhelming  
          number reiterates the importance of protecting animals from  
          neglect as well as cruelty." 


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081