Crimes: theft: animals.

Existing law prohibits the theft of personal property, as specified. Existing law, for purposes of provisions related to theft, declares that a dog is personal property and that the value of a dog shall be determined in the same manner as for other personal property. Under existing law, theft of a dog with a value exceeding $950 is grand theft and theft of a dog with a value not exceeding $950 is petty theft. Existing appellate case law holds that a cat is personal property for purposes of theft. Existing law defines a feral cat as a cat without owner identification whose usual and consistent temperament is extreme fear and resistance to contact with people and who is totally unsocialized to people. This bill would expand the scope of those crimes to apply to any companion animal, as defined. By expanding the application of an existing crime, 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.