Judiciary Committee
AN ACT INCREASING THE PENALTY FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
SUMMARY: This act increases the penalty for subsequent convictions for specified types of animal cruelty. Under prior law, for first or subsequent offenses, violators could be fined up to $1,000, imprisoned for up to one year, or both. The act increases the penalties for subsequent offenses to a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
The act applies to the following:
1. overdriving, overloading, overworking, torturing, depriving of sustenance, mutilating, cruelly beating or killing, or unjustifiably injuring any animal;
2. if impounding or confining an animal, (a) failing to provide it proper care; (b) neglecting to cage or restrain it from injuring itself or another animal; or (c) failing to supply it with wholesome air, food, and water;
3. unjustifiably administering or exposing a domestic animal to any poisonous or noxious drug or substance intending that the animal will take it;
4. if having custody of an animal, (a) inflicting cruelty on it; (b) failing to provide it with proper food, drink, or shelter; (c) abandoning it; or (d) carrying or causing it to be carried in a cruel manner; or
5. fighting with or baiting, harassing, or worrying an animal to make it perform for amusement, diversion, or exhibition.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2012
OLR Tracking: JO: KLM: MJ: DY: eh