San Benito County Animal Care & Services investigates animal cruelty and neglect, which often underlies hoarding. California Penal Code Section 597 makes it a crime to neglect or fail to provide proper food, water, shelter, and care for animals, and Section 597.1 lets officers seize neglected animals. Keeping excess animals also violates County zoning animal limits.
Animal hoarding in unincorporated San Benito County is addressed through a combination of County zoning animal limits and California's animal-cruelty laws, enforced by San Benito County Animal Care & Services, which conducts cruelty investigations. California Penal Code Section 597 prohibits depriving an animal of necessary food, water, shelter, or care and subjecting it to needless suffering - the conditions typical of hoarding situations - and violations can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Penal Code Section 597.1 allows peace and humane officers to seize animals that are neglected or without proper care and to hold the owner responsible for impound costs, and Section 597t addresses confinement and the need for adequate exercise and space. Keeping more animals than a parcel's zoning permits under County Zoning Code Section 25.08.013 (and the kennel/cattery permit thresholds) provides an independent basis for County code enforcement to act before conditions reach criminal cruelty. Convictions under Penal Code Section 597 can carry jail or prison time, fines, and court-ordered limits on future animal ownership. Residents who suspect hoarding or neglect should contact San Benito County Animal Care & Services.
Animal neglect and failure to provide proper care are crimes under California Penal Code Section 597, chargeable as a misdemeanor (up to one year in county jail) or felony (up to three years). Officers may seize affected animals under Section 597.1. Exceeding zoning animal limits is separately enforceable by County code enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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