A Los Angeles city councilman wants to prohibit the sale of dogs and cats bred in mills, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles animal cruelty attorneys know that dog and cat breeders often are labeled as operating "mills" and authorities often bring charges for animal cruelty. In California, especially Los Angeles, animal cruelty and abuse is a serious offense, often punishable by prison time, fines and a crimnal record.
Before you talk with authorities, contact an attorney who has experience in animal cruelty defense.
Councilman Paul Koretz introduced a motion to Los Angeles City Council recently that is aimed at cutting down on the number of dogs and cats in the city. Some pet stores purchase animals from large-scale breeding operations and Koretz wants to give financial incentives to stores for not doing so. He wants to encourage pet owners to adopt.
The motion calls for a study by police and the city attorney's office about banning sales of commercially bred dogs, cats and rabbits and a ban of what Koretz calls puppy, kitten, chicken and rabbit "mills" within city limits, the number of which is unknown.
The California Penal Code lists dozens of laws designed to penalize people for abusing animals, including laws that could relate specifically to breeders. Penal Code 597t makes it a crime to confine an animal in an area that does not provide it with adequate exercise or restricting an animal with a leash that allows the animal to become entangled. Code 597z makes selling dogs younger than 8 weeks of age a crime.
Committing these crimes may constitute a misdemeanor conviction on your record as well as various fines. More serious animal cruelty crimes are considered felonies and can result in imprisonment.
If you need to speak with an animal cruelty defense attorney in Los Angeles, contact the Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates at 213-223-2173 for a free consultation.
