CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

LA Law: Leaving an Animal Unattended in a Vehicle

Protect Your Pet and Your Rights: Fight Unfair Charges and Judgments Under Penal Code 597.7

As a responsible pet owner, you always have your pet’s interests at heart. You take great care to make sure your pet is safe, healthy, and happy. You might even bring your furry friend along on errands, taking the animal with you in the car and leaving them unattended for a few minutes while you run an errand. But did you know that under certain circumstances, leaving your animal unattended in your vehicle can be considered a criminal offense under California Penal Code 597.7?

Penal Code 597.7 specifies that it is a violation of animal cruelty laws to “confine” your animal in conditions of “heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water.” While this law is intended to protect animals from abuse, it can also lead to misunderstandings and unfair charges for responsible pet owners.

If you are facing charges under Penal Code 597.7, it is important to understand your rights and options. You may be able to fight against unfair charges and judgments with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

At our law firm, we specialize in animal abuse laws and can provide you with the representation you need. We understand that there is room for interpretation when it comes to Penal Code 597.7, which can sometimes result in unfair outcomes for pet owners. Just because an animal control officer witnesses something does not mean that their out of context perspective is infallible, and we will protect you against court judgment bias.

If you did not endanger your animal by your actions and believe that the charges against you are not justified, we can help. Our attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your case and determine the course of action. We will advocate for you based on the inexact nature of these laws to ensure that you are not punished when you are a sensible and caring pet owner who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Penal Code 597.7 also states that the pet may be returned to the owner “only after payment of all charges that have accrued for the maintenance, care, medical treatment, or impoundment.” Our attorneys will review these fees to ensure their fairness and accuracy.

Don’t let unfair charges and judgments under Penal Code 597.7 harm you or your pet. Call us today to schedule a consultation and fight for your rights. We will do everything in our power to give you fair and equitable representation in court. Remember, if your animal didn’t suffer, then neither should you.