AZ SB1603

Amends Arizona law to clarify authority for peace officers, county enforcement agents, and animal control officers to seize animals for violations of animal cruelty laws, pursuant to court process, or when reasonable grounds exist that an animal is in distress or its well-being is threatened.

Requires written notice of seizure to be provided to the animal owner, including the officer's contact information, animal description, seizure authority and circumstances, and notification that owner must request a hearing within 10 days and post a $25 bond per animal to cover veterinary, impound, and board fees.

Establishes that if owner fails to post bond, request hearing, or attend hearing within 10 days, the animal is deemed abandoned and all owner rights transfer to the seizing agency; at hearing, seizing agency must prove by preponderance of evidence that seizure was lawful.

Allows seizing agencies to contract with shelters or volunteers for animal care and specifies that civil seizure procedures do not preclude criminal prosecution and are not precluded by acquittal or conviction in criminal proceedings.

Makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to interfere with officers performing seizure duties or to release any seized or impounded animal.