SB 65

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.

Under current law, a court may order that a person who commits an act of

animal abuse may not own, possess, or train any animal or type or species of animal

for a period specified by the court, but not to exceed five years. Under the bill, the

court is required to enter an order that a person who commits an act of animal abuse

may not reside with, own, possess, or train any animal of the type involved in the

violation, and may also enter such an order pertaining to other animals. Under the

bill, if the person is convicted of a misdemeanor violation, the ordered period

specified by the court may be up to five years, and if the person is convicted of a felony

violation, the ordered period specified by the court may be up to fifteen years.