California Bill Would Move Abused Animals Out of Shelters During Court Cases

A California bill would allow animals seized in cruelty cases to leave crowded municipal shelters and enter foster homes or rescue groups while their owners' criminal cases proceed. Assembly Bill 2344 would apply to animals held as evidence. These animals currently remain in shelters for months as court proceedings continue.

A 2022 report found that some dogs in Los Angeles city shelters were isolated from other animals and could not be walked by volunteers. Videos showed one dog trembling in its kennel. Los Angeles County officials filed 303 animal abuse cases over the two-year period ending in June 2026. Evidence animals stayed in county shelters between three months and nearly a year.

The bill would let prosecutors petition for forfeiture 30 days after a defendant fails to appear in court. It would also allow animal control agencies, with prosecutor consent, to place evidence animals with fosters. A special assistant deputy district attorney said the measure would make it clear that shelter directors can legally foster animals rather than keep them in kennels for months.

The bill passed the Senate public safety committee after clearing the Assembly. It is scheduled for the Senate appropriations committee next month. Hawaii and Oregon already have similar laws allowing forfeiture during criminal cases. The measure is sponsored by the district attorney's office and an advocacy group.