California Health and Safety Code

§ 1797.10

HSC § 1797.10 Effective Jan 1, 2026Div. 2.5 · Ch. 1

Statute text

(a)For the purposes of this section, “police canine” means a canine that is owned, or the service of which is employed, by a state or local law enforcement agency, a correctional agency, a fire department, a special fire district, or the State Fire Marshal for the principal purpose of aiding in the detection of criminal activity, flammable materials, or missing persons, the enforcement of laws, the investigation of fires, or the apprehension of offenders.

(b)For the purposes of this section, “search and rescue dog” has the same meaning as in Section 54.25 of the Civil Code.

(c)A person licensed to operate an ambulance pursuant to Section 2510 of the Vehicle Code or a person who operates ambulances owned or operated by a fire department of a federally recognized Indian tribe may transport a police canine or a search and rescue dog that is injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic or similar facility if there is no other person requiring medical attention or transport at that time. To the extent feasible, the handler of the police canine or search and rescue dog shall accompany the animal during transport to maintain control of the animal during transport.

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Legislative history

Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 98, Sec. 1. (AB 463) Effective January 1, 2026.