Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends existing animal welfare regulations, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Classifies animal neglect in the first degree as a Class C felony under the following circumstances (Sec. 5):
• The act of neglect is committed by an individual that has previously been convicted of 1 or more animal welfare violations;
• The act of neglect is committed against 10 or more animals; or
• The act of neglect is committed in the presence of a minor.

• Classifies animal neglect in the second degree as a Class C felony under the following circumstances (Sec. 4):
• The act of neglect is committed by an individual that has previously been convicted of 2 or more animal welfare violations;
• The act of neglect is committed against 11 or more animals; or
• The act of neglect is committed in the presence of a minor by an individual with 1 or more previous domestic violence convictions.

• Classifies felony animal neglect in the first degree as “crime category 6” if it is committed against 10 to 40 animals, and as “crime category 7” if it is committed against more than 40 animals (Sec. 5).

• Classifies felony animal neglect in the second degree as “crime category 6” if it is committed against 11 to 40 animals, and as “crime category 7” if it is committed against more than 40 animals (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits an individual who has committed an animal welfare violation from possessing an animal for a period of 5 years except in the following circumstances (Sec. 6):
• The violation was the individual’s first conviction; or
• The violation was committed by the owner of a commercial livestock operation and the violation was committed against livestock. 

• Reduces the period of time in which an individual can file a petition for ownership of an impounded animal from 60 days to 30 days of impoundment before proceeding to foreclosure (Sec. 9).

• Defines “animal rescue entity” as any individual or organization, excluding a veterinary facility, that keeps, houses, and maintains in its custody 10 or more animals and that solicits or accepts donations in any form (Sec. 10).

• Requires an animal rescue entity to obtain a license and be subject to inspections from a city or county dog licensing and control program (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes a representative of an enforcing agency, a law enforcement agency, or the United States Department of Agriculture to investigate the premises of an animal rescue entity if the representative has reason to believe the animal rescue entity is operating without a license (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends existing animal welfare regulations, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Classifies animal neglect in the first degree as a Class C felony under the following circumstances (Sec. 5):
• The act of neglect is committed by an individual that has previously been convicted of 1 or more animal welfare violations;
• The act of neglect is committed against 10 or more animals; or
• The act of neglect is committed in the presence of a minor.

• Classifies animal neglect in the second degree as a Class C felony under the following circumstances (Sec. 4):
• The act of neglect is committed by an individual that has previously been convicted of 2 or more animal welfare violations;
• The act of neglect is committed against 11 or more animals; or
• The act of neglect is committed in the presence of a minor by an individual with 1 or more previous domestic violence convictions.

• Classifies felony animal neglect in the first degree as “crime category 6” if it is committed against 10 to 40 animals, and as “crime category 7” if it is committed against more than 40 animals (Sec. 5).

• Classifies felony animal neglect in the second degree as “crime category 6” if it is committed against 11 to 40 animals, and as “crime category 7” if it is committed against more than 40 animals (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits an individual who has committed an animal welfare violation from possessing an animal for a period of 5 years except in the following circumstances (Sec. 6):
• The violation was the individual’s first conviction; or
• The violation was committed by the owner of a commercial livestock operation and the violation was committed against livestock. 

• Reduces the period of time in which an individual can file a petition for ownership of an impounded animal from 60 days to 30 days of impoundment before proceeding to foreclosure (Sec. 9).

• Defines “animal rescue entity” as any individual or organization, excluding a veterinary facility, that keeps, houses, and maintains in its custody 10 or more animals and that solicits or accepts donations in any form (Sec. 10).

• Requires an animal rescue entity to obtain a license and be subject to inspections from a city or county dog licensing and control program (Sec. 10).

• Authorizes a representative of an enforcing agency, a law enforcement agency, or the United States Department of Agriculture to investigate the premises of an animal rescue entity if the representative has reason to believe the animal rescue entity is operating without a license (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text