“Animals are completely dependent on us for care and protection, and when that trust is shattered through abuse, we have a moral obligation to act,” Haney said. “Animal cruelty is unacceptable and when animals are held for unnecessary periods, this puts a roadblock to their recovery. AB 2344 will streamline that transfer process, providing a tool for courts and shelters to help animals receive earlier transfers into appropriate care.”
Los Angeles County’s Department of Animal Care and Control currently spends an average of more than $105 per day to house each dog or cat in its care. In one ongoing animal cruelty case, 48 animals have remained in county custody since August 2024 while criminal proceedings continue, resulting in more than $500,000 in housing costs alone, not including medical expenses, Barger said.