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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
unlawful sale; animals
Purpose
Deems it unlawful, in a county with a population of 500,000 persons or more, to market, offer, barter, give away, display, advertise for sale or advertise for adoption, an animal in statutorily prescribed locations. Deems it unlawful to sell an animal in statutorily prescribed locations in a county of 500,000 persons or more, rather than 800,000 persons or more.
Background
In a county with a population of 800,000 persons or more, a person commits the unlawful public sale of animals by knowingly selling an animal on: 1) any public highway, street or park or any public property adjacent to a public highway, street or park; or 2) any commercial private property without the express consent of the owner or lessee of the property. The unlawful public sale of animals does not apply to: 1) retail sales on the premises of a pet store; 2) sales by a publicly operated or private, charitable nonprofit pound, humane society, animal rescue organization or educational or agricultural organization; or 3) any rodeo, auction market, county fair, stock show or other sanctioned livestock exhibit event. A person who is found responsible for a violation of the unlawful public sale of animals is subject to a civil penalty of up to $50 (A.R.S. § 44-1799.71).
A class 1 misdemeanor carries a maximum imprisonment sentence of six months and a fine of up to $2,500 to be determined by the court (A.R.S. §§ 13-707 and 13-802).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
2. Deems it unlawful to sell an animal in statutorily prescribed locations in a county of 500,000 persons or more, rather than 800,000 persons or more.
3. Exempts animal shelters from the prohibition on the unlawful public sale of animals.
4. Deems that a person who commits the unlawful public sale of animals is guilty of a petty offense, rather than a civil penalty of up to $50.
5. Deems that a second or subsequent violation of the unlawful public sale of animals is a class 1 misdemeanor.
6. Makes technical changes.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 13, 2026
SB/hk