Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands criminal offenses for animal mistreatment, excluding livestock and certain animals.

Highlights:

• Defines “animal” as a nonhuman vertebrate, excluding livestock, game, fur-bearing animal, fish, reptile or amphibian, as well as any nongame species declared to be a nuisance (Sec. 1). 

• Classifies the act of causing serious injury or death to an animal by force, violence, or poisoning as animal abuse in the first degree and an aggravated misdemeanor or a Class D felony if the individual meets any of the following conditions (Sec. 4):
• The individual is an adult and commits animal abuse in the presence of a juvenile; or
• The individual has previously been convicted of a criminal offense regarding animal abuse or mistreatment.

• Classifies the act of causing serious injury or death to an animal by failing to provide access to food, water, sanitary conditions, shelter, or veterinary care as animal neglect in the first degree and as an aggravated misdemeanor or a Class D felony if the individual meets any of the following conditions (Sec. 6):
• The individual is an adult and commits animal abuse in the presence of a juvenile; or
• The individual has previously been convicted of a criminal offense regarding animal abuse or mistreatment.

• Classifies the act of inflicting severe or repeated physical pain on an animal that results in suffering and serious injury or death as animal torture and a Class D felony or a Class C felony if the individual meets any of the following conditions (Sec. 8):
• The individual is an adult and commits animal abuse in the presence of a juvenile; or
• The individual has previously been convicted of a criminal offense regarding animal abuse or mistreatment.

• Classifies the act of relinquishing custody of an animal without making arrangements for a transfer of custody as animal abandonment and a simple misdemeanor or a serious misdemeanor if the individual meets any of the following conditions (Sec. 10):
• The individual is an adult and commits animal abuse in the presence of a juvenile; or
• The individual has previously been convicted of a criminal offense regarding animal abuse or mistreatment.

• Classifies the act of confining an animal in a stationary motor vehicle in a manner that endangers the animal’s health or life as animal endangerment and a simple misdemeanor or a serious misdemeanor if the individual meets any of the following conditions (Sec. 10):
• The individual is an adult and commits animal abuse in the presence of a juvenile; or
• The individual has previously been convicted of a criminal offense regarding animal abuse or mistreatment. 

• Requires a court to order an individual to undergo psychological or psychiatric evaluation and treatment if the individual is a juvenile or an adult who has committed animal abuse, neglect or torture (Sec. 11). 

Full Bill Text