SB 433

Present law provides that a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals who intentionally or knowingly commits certain acts, one of which is intentional ly or knowingly abandoning unreasonably an animal in the person's custody. This bill broadens this provision by, instead, simply prohibiting abandonment, regardless of its reasonability. This bill also adds that it is not a defense to prosecution under t his provision that the person abandoned the animal at or near an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other place of shelter if the person did not make reasonable arrangements for the care of the animal.