RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.

All proposed statutory amendments increasing penalties for animal cruelty involving pets were removed

The original effective date provision was removed

Senate floor amendment formatting and administrative withdrawal language were added

The bill status changed from proposed legislation to withdrawn

Increased penalty for first-degree animal cruelty involving pet animals from class C felony to class B felony

Increased penalty for second-degree animal cruelty involving ten or more pet animals or death of a pet animal from misdemeanor to class B felony

Added specific penalty increase for second or subsequent offenses involving injury or death to service animals or law enforcement animals

Added five-year ban on possessing or owning any pet animal for persons convicted of first-degree animal cruelty involving pet animals

Added five-year ban on possessing or owning any pet animal for persons convicted of second-degree animal cruelty involving ten or more pet animals or death of a pet animal

Increased penalties for first-degree animal cruelty involving pet animals from a class G felony to a class C felony, and added a new provision making it a class B felony if a pet animal is involved.

Created a new offense for causing injury or death to service animals or law enforcement animals, punishable as a class C felony (upgraded to class B for repeat offenses).

Added a five-year ban on owning or possessing pet animals for anyone convicted of animal cruelty offenses.

Added requirements for restitution to service animal owners for veterinary bills and retraining or replacement costs when a service animal is injured or killed.

Added a specific exemption for pest control operations performed by licensed operators under written contracts.

Added specific definitions for 'pet animal' and 'service animal' to clarify which animals receive enhanced protections.

Increased penalties for cruelty to animals in the first degree from a class C felony to a class B felony, and added a five-year ban on owning pets for convicted offenders.

Created new offenses for dog fighting in the first degree (class B felony) and second degree (class C felony), including penalties for attending or wagering on dogfights.

Added new offenses for cruel trapping methods, specifically banning steel-jawed leg-hold traps and snares in residential areas.

Created new offense for causing injury or death to service animals or law enforcement animals, classified as a class C felony.

Increased penalties for pet animal desertion from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor, with class C felony penalties for repeat offenses that cause injury or death.

Expanded restrictions on dog tethering to include specific dangerous configurations and added a ban on tethering dogs under six months old without supervision.

Added specific definitions for 'dogfight,' 'bait dog,' 'device,' 'wager,' and 'service animal' to clarify legal standards.