City of Stockton Police Department
SMC Amendment
Add Section 6.04.360
Abandoned Animals
City Council Meeting
July 11, 2023
Agenda Item 15.2
Background
•In 2021 the “ASPCA” released information stating
that 1 in 5 households acquired a cat or a dog
during the Covid‐19 crisis
•The Legislation and Environmental Committee is
concerned that the rise in pet adoptions has
caused a rise in animal abandonment in the City
•Currently there is only one law regarding animal
abandonment—Penal Code 597s
•A list of animal abandonment ordinances from
surrounding agencies was compiled to draft the
new proposed ordinance
Present Situation
• Penal Code 597s has proven difficult for the
DA’s office to prosecute due to the issue of
proving beyond reasonable doubt the actual
abandonment of animals
•The addition of Section 6.04.360 will allow the
City Attorney’s Office to handle animal
abandonment cases
•This section would make it unlawful to willfully
abandon any animal in the City of Stockton
Proposed Fines
•First Offense $100.00
•Second Offense or subsequent* $1,000.00
•*Second and subsequent offenses within one (1) year of the first offense have a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six (6) months imprisonment
•First offenses are charged as an infraction, second and subsequent offenses are charged as misdemeanors
Recommendation
• Adopt an ordinance amending the Stockton
Municipal Code by adding Section 6.04.360 to
Title 6, Chapter 6.04 relating to the
abandonment of animals in the City of Stockton
• Authorize the City Manager to take all
appropriate and necessary actions to carry out
the purpose and intent of the ordinance