Bill

Bill > HB698


HI HB698

Relating To Animal Cruelty.


summary

Introduced
01/21/2025
In Committee
04/03/2025
Crossed Over
03/04/2025
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Increases the criminal penalties for the offenses of cruelty to animals in the first and second degree that involve pet animals. Increases the criminal penalty for a second or subsequent offense of causing injury or death to a service animal or law enforcement animal. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

AI Summary

This bill aims to increase criminal penalties for animal cruelty offenses, particularly those involving pet animals and service or law enforcement animals. The legislation is driven by research showing a connection between animal abuse and other violent crimes, as well as community concerns about rising animal cruelty incidents. Specifically, the bill makes several key changes: it upgrades cruelty to animals in the first degree to a class B felony when a pet animal is involved, and maintains the existing prohibition on owning animals for five years after conviction; for cruelty to animals in the second degree, it creates a class B felony for cases involving ten or more pet animals or the death of a pet animal, and also prohibits animal ownership for five years; for offenses involving service or law enforcement animals, the bill increases the penalty for a second or subsequent offense from a class C to a class B felony. The bill defines pet animals as dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, guinea pigs, domesticated pigs, and certain caged birds, and defines service animals specifically as dogs trained to assist individuals with disabilities. The legislature's rationale is that stronger penalties will help deter animal cruelty and provide appropriate consequences for offenders, reflecting the significant emotional bond people have with their pets and the potential for animal abuse to indicate broader violent tendencies.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 873). (on 04/23/2025)

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