California — definitions of 'animal'/'torture'/'cruelty' (Penal Code § 599b)

California — definitions of 'animal'/'torture'/'cruelty' (Penal Code § 599b)

California Penal Code § 599b defines terms used throughout Title 14 (crimes against animals): 'animal' includes 'every dumb creature,' and 'torment'/'torture'/'cruelty' include any act, omission, or neglect causing unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering.

Source: California Penal Code § 599b, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, extracted 2026-07-24 via Tokyo relay (Playwright). First-hand statute text; C1 substring-verified against pdf-raw/animal-welfare-law/ca_pen_599b_definitions.txt.

Verbatim C1 claims (each a substring of the source file):

1. "599b."
2. "In this title, the word “animal” includes every dumb creature"
3. "the words “torment,” “torture,” and “cruelty” include every act, omission, or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering is caused or permitted"
4. "TITLE 14. MALICIOUS MISCHIEF [594 - 625c]"