Gov. Linda Lingle signed two bills into law yesterday that prevent cruelty to animals.

Senate Bill 2924 allows officers with a search warrant to enter the property where there is probable cause to believe an animal is being abused or neglected in order to provide it with food, water and medical care. The law also allows the court to impound the animal and give it to a recognized shelter or organization to ensure the animal receives proper care.

Also under this law, a hearing process will be set up to allow a humane society or other organization to petition the court for the forfeiture of the animal before a criminal conviction against the animal's owner is handed down.

The owner would still have the ability to keep the animal by either posting a security bond for the animal's care or demonstrating that alternative arrangements have been made to care for the animal. Any animal confiscated in this manner may not be destroyed before a criminal charge has been handed down or unless the animal is severely injured or sick and can't be saved.

The second new law, SB2930, ensures that humane societies or organizations that house and care for an impounded animal will be reimbursed for the costs they incur. The court also can order a defendant to give a mistreated animal to an animal-care facility. The court also can order the defendant to reimburse the organization for reasonable costs to care for the animal.

Both laws take effect immediately.

Earlier this year, the governor signed a bill to require the state to provide suitable shelters for pets in the event of a disaster. Last year, she also enacted a law to allow pet owners to provide for the future care of their animals through wills or trusts.

Reach Brittany Yap at byap@honoluluadvertiser.com.