Sexual abuse of animals.

Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to sexually assault certain animals for the purpose of gratifying the sexual desires of a person. This bill would repeal that provision and would instead prohibit sexual contact, as defined, with any animal. The bill would make a violation of these provisions punishable as a misdemeanor. The bill would also authorize the seizure of an animal used in the violation of this offense. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for persons convicted of certain animal abuse crimes to own, possess, maintain, care for, reside with, or have custody of an animal for a specified period after conviction. This bill would add animal sexual abuse to the list of offenses which result in that prohibition. Existing law requires a veterinarian, if he or she has reasonable cause to believe an animal under his or her care has been a victim of animal abuse or cruelty, as specified, to promptly report it to the appropriate law enforcement authorities of the county, city, or city and county in which it occurred. Existing law makes a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor. This bill would expand that reporting requirement to include when the veterinarian has reasonable cause to believe an animal has been a victim of sexual abuse or kept without proper care and attention, as specified. By creating new crimes, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.