What if the defendant refuses to pay?

The law provides that if the defendant fails to comply with the judge’s order to pay within five days of the initial hearing or within five days of any 30-day period, the animal is automatically forfeited. Once the animal has been forfeited, the shelter is allowed to decide how to dispose of it. If the shelter concludes that the animal is suitable for adoption, the animal may be adopted by any person other than the defendant or a person living in the defendant’s household. If the shelter concludes that the animal is unsuitable for adoption or the animal is not adopted, the shelter may humanely euthanize the animal.