Cal. Codes » Penal Code / PART 1. OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS / TITLE 14. MALICIOUS MISCHIEF
California Codes

Cal. Penal Code § 596.5 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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It shall be a misdemeanor for any owner or manager of an elephant to engage in abusive behavior towards the elephant, which behavior shall include the discipline of the elephant by any of the following methods:

(a)Deprivation of food, water, or rest.

(b)Use of electricity.

(c)Physical punishment resulting in damage, scarring, or breakage of skin.

(d)Insertion of any instrument into any bodily orifice.

(e)Use of martingales.

(f)Use of block and tackle.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 2016–2017 · leading case: Leider v. Lewis, 394 P.3d 1055 (Cal. 2017).
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Leider v. Lewis, 394 P.3d 1055 (Cal. 2017). “" (Pen. Code, § 596.5.) 4 Penal Code section 597 proscribes cruelty to animals in general terms.”
Leider v. Lewis (Cal. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 3× “The amended complaint alleged the City’s 2 Penal Code section 596.5 renders it a misdemeanor “for any owner or manager of an elephant to engage in abusive behavior towards the elephant, which behavior shall include the discipline of the elephant by any of the following methods:…”
Leider v. Lewis (Cal. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 3× “The amended complaint alleged the City’s 2 Penal Code section 596.5 renders it a misdemeanor “for any owner or manager of an elephant to engage in abusive behavior towards the elephant, which behavior shall include the discipline of the elephant by any of the following methods:…”
Leider v. Lewis, 16 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 527 (Cal. Ct. App. 2nd 2016). · cites it 2× “The amended complaint alleged the proposed expansion and continued operation of the exhibit violated public policies described in California Fish and Game Code sections 1600, 2051, 2052, 2116.”
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