New CA Animal Cruelty Laws Ban Fur Products, Some Circus Animals

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of animal cruelty bills into law Saturday, including one that bans the sale of new fur products statewide.

AB 44, introduced by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), bans the sale, production and distribution of any new fur products in California. It applies to clothing, handbags and shoes, and carries a civil penalty — although it exempts leather, taxidermy and fur products used for religious purposes.

The fur ban is the first of its kind in the nation, according to a news release from the governor's office.

Another new law, SB 313, bans the use of wild animals including elephants, bears, tigers and monkeys in circuses.

"We are making a statement to the world that beautiful wild animals like bears and tigers have no place on trapeze wires or jumping through flames," Newsom said in a news release.

Other animal cruelty bills signed Saturday include AB 1254, which prohibits hunting, trapping or killing bobcats in California until 2025, after which point the state will issue licenses to protect the species.

And AB 128 aims to protect California's wild and domestic horses by requiring animal auction yards to check animals for brands, tattoos or microchips before selling them at auction.