Bans most toxicity testing on dogs and cats

Existing law prohibits manufacturers and contract testing facilities from using traditional animal test methods within the state for which an appropriate alternative test method has been scientifically validated and recommended by the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) and adopted, as specified. Existing law exempts certain animal tests from these provisions, including animal tests performed for the purpose of medical research. Existing law provides that the exclusive remedy for a violation of these provisions is a civil action for injunctive relief brought by, among others, the Attorney General and makes a violation of these provisions punishable by a specified civil penalty.

This bill would prohibit a testing facility, as defined, from conducting a canine or feline toxicological experiment, as defined, unless the experiment is conducted for specified purposes, including medical research, as described, to comply with federal requirements pertaining to the approval or maintenance of a medical device, or to develop, manufacture, or market certain types of products. The bill would authorize the Attorney General, the district attorney of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, or the city attorney in certain instances to bring a civil action for a violation of these provisions, punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each day that each dog or cat is used in a canine or feline toxicological experiment.

The bill would define various terms for purposes of carrying out these provisions.