Leaving a Pet Unattended in a Car – Penal Code 597.7

Penal Code 597.7(a) states:  A person shall not leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.

Penal code 597.7 may be a misdemeanor or an infraction.  If the for the first conviction, the animal does not suffer great bodily injury, the punishment shall be an infraction not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) per animal. If the animal suffers great bodily injury, then the punishment may be a misdemeanor. Any subsequent violation enhances the penalty.  If the circumstances cause the animal to suffer great bodily injury, the People may seek to prosecute also under Penal Code 597 as a separate charge for animal abuse.

Call the attorneys at KLG for a defense consultation if you are faced with criminal charges for animal abuse.