Pet store operators: crimes.

Existing law, the Pet Store Animal Care Act, requires pet store operators, as defined, to comply with laws governing, among other things, the care of animals in pet stores. Existing law makes a pet store operator who violates these provisions guilty of a misdemeanor, except as otherwise provided. Existing law prohibits a pet store operator from selling a live dog, cat, or rabbit in a pet store unless the animal was obtained from a public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group, as specified. Existing law also requires each pet store to comply with specified documentation, recordkeeping, and other requirements with respect to these animals. Existing law exempts a pet store operator who violates those provisions from criminal prosecution, but imposes a specified civil penalty upon that pet store operator, and provides that each animal that is offered for sale in violation of these provisions constitutes a separate violation. This bill would revise that prohibition by excluding a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group from the list of organizations from which a pet store operator may obtain a live dog, cat, or rabbit for purposes of selling that animal. The bill would remove the exemption from criminal prosecution for a pet store operator who violates that prohibition or the other requirements, thereby creating new crimes. The bill would also provide that each animal that is offered for sale per day, rather than each animal that is offered for sale, in violation of those provisions constitutes a separate violation. By creating new crimes, the 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.