California legal term
Pet animals in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Pet animals” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Pet animals” mean in California criminal law?
“Pet animals” means dogs, cats, monkeys and other primates, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, snakes, iguanas, turtles, and any other species of animal sold or retained for the purpose of being kept as a household pet. (Cal. Penal Code § 597l)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.