Increases the penalties for the offense of animal abuse

HB 2825 increases penalties for animal abuse by reclassifying the offense as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who intentionally kill, injure, or fail to provide adequate care for animals, resulting in substantial harm. Key provisions upgrade the penalty to a class E felony for most cases, and to a class D felony if the abuse involves torture or mutilation or if the offender has prior convictions. This bill changes the legal classification of animal abuse offenses to impose stricter criminal penalties.