CA AB1951

Amends Penal Code provisions on animal cruelty to require defendants granted probation for violations involving animal abuse to complete mandatory counseling designed to evaluate and treat behavior or conduct disorders.

Adds new Penal Code Section 597.8 requiring courts to order psychiatric or psychological examinations (at court expense) for persons convicted of specified animal abuse crimes prior to sentencing, with results considered in determining sentences.

Extends mandatory counseling requirement to defendants granted probation for crimes involving police dogs or police horses, removing the prior exemption for those cases.

Adds mandatory counseling requirements for probation-granted defendants in dog fighting cases (Section 597.5) and crimes involving injuries to service dogs or police animals (Sections 600 and 600.5).

Requires state reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for any costs mandated by the state, as determined by the Commission on State Mandates, pursuant to existing reimbursement procedures.