Mistreating an animal and providing a penalty

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Under current law, a person who commits an act of animal abuse is subject to a Class C forfeiture, unless the animal abuse results in the mutilation, disfigurement, or death of the animal, in which case the person is guilty of a Class I felony. Under current law, animal abuse means treating an animal in a cruel manner, but the prohibition on animal abuse does not prohibit normal and accepted veterinary practices.

Under this bill, the prohibition on animal abuse does not apply to an injury sustained by a dog while training or hunting with dogs in the manner authorized by the Department of Natural Resources or to the care and treatment of the injury if the injury is treated as soon as is practicable under the circumstances. Under the bill, a person who commits an act of animal abuse is guilty of a Class H felony if the animal abuse results in grievous bodily harm to or the death of the animal and is guilty of a Class I felony if the person knows or reasonably should know that the animal abuse may result in grievous bodily harm to or the death of an animal, regardless of whether grievous bodily harm or death occurs.

Who's behind it

2 senators are its authors⁠. All 2 are Republicans.

8 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.