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March 20, 2026

Assemblymember Matt Haney Introduces

AB 2344 to Create an Animal Abuse Offender Registry

Sacramento, CA — Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL) today announced its sponsorship of AB 2344, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco), legislation that would establish a statewide animal abuse registry for individuals convicted of felony animal cruelty under penal code sections 597, 597b, 597.5, or 600.

The bill would require individuals convicted of felony animal abuse in California to register with local law enforcement for a period of 10 years. The registry would collect identifying information including the offender’s name, photograph, and conviction details, and the California Department of Justice would make certain information publicly available through an online website intended to help protect animals and improve community safety. 

“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,” said Assemblymember Haney. “Animal cruelty is unacceptable. By giving shelters, rescues, and the public a tool to prevent repeat cruelty, the registry will help protect vulnerable animals and ensure California leads with both compassion and common sense.”

Animal and public safety advocates say registries can help prevent repeat offenses and give shelters, rescues, and the public an additional tool to safeguard animals from known abusers. Tennessee and Florida have already implemented similar registries.

“Sixteen years ago, Social Compassion in Legislation sponsored legislation to create a statewide animal abuse registry because we knew transparency and accountability are essential tools in preventing cruelty. While that effort fell short at the time, we are proud to try again. Today, Californians spend tens of billions of dollars each year caring for their companion animals, including services like pet sitting, boarding, and grooming, yet there is still no reliable way to ensure that the individuals entrusted with our beloved pets are not convicted abusers," said Judie Mancuso, Founder and President, Social Compassion in Legislation.

"This gap has cost innocent animals their lives and left families heartbroken. We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Matt Haney for authoring AB 2344 and taking up this important cause. Together we can help ensure that those convicted of felony animal abuse are properly tracked and that animals are better protected from offenders.”

AB 2344 builds on earlier efforts to establish an animal abuse registry in California and reflects growing recognition that animal cruelty is often linked to broader patterns of violence. A registry will help law enforcement, shelters, rescues, and the public identify individuals with a history of severe animal abuse.

AB 2344 will be heard in the Assembly Public Safety Committee in the upcoming weeks.

To send your support letter for this bill or all of our sponsored bills. It's easy - click on link below and follow the directions, please send one today! 

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Our Letter to the Editor Published Today in the LA Times!

Please click graphic below to leave a comment on the LA Times page.

To the editor: I am horrified and saddened to learn that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife authorized the killing of a mother bear in Monrovia (“Bear euthanized, her cubs left orphaned, over objections of Monrovia city leaders,” March 17). Why does the department continue to punish animals for doing nothing more than existing? This decision was made despite local officials calling for the relocation of the animal. Who did they kill this bear for? It was beyond cruel.

Pressures from habitat loss, climate change and other types of human encroachment are forcing bears and other animals into suburban areas more and more frequently. This is not the fault of the animals. They are surviving in the habitat that is available to them.

Now the bear’s two cubs must be rehabilitated and rereleased into the wild. While we hope for the best, those cubs face a more difficult future without the guidance of their mother. The resources to rewild the cubs would have been put to better use by just relocating the mother bear and cubs to another area to begin with.

I appreciate the work that the department does to enforce laws that protect our wildlife, but I am baffled by this cruel and, frankly, lazy decision to kill the Monrovia bear. Many Californians are heartbroken over the loss of this beautiful mama bear. CDFW must do better for us and our wildlife.



Judie Mancuso, Laguna Beach

This writer is founder and president of animal advocacy nonprofit Social Compassion in Legislation.

As our 19th year of creating laws to protect animals is in full swing, we are deeply grateful for your continued support. Together, we are achieving lasting, meaningful progress for the voiceless beings who need us most.

Thank you for being a part of our team. Please consider donating to help so we can continue and grow our work to save animals through programs and policies!

With tons of gratitude, Judie

Judie Mancuso, founder/CEO/president

Social Compassion, 501(c)(3)

Social Compassion in Legislation, 501(c)(4)

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