Bill > SB0433

This bill amends Tennessee's animal cruelty laws to strengthen protections against animal abandonment by clarifying and expanding the legal definition of abandonment. Specifically, the legislation modifies existing criminal code to explicitly state that it is an offense to abandon an animal under a person's custody, and critically, removes a potential legal defense that previously might have allowed individuals to avoid prosecution by simply leaving an animal at an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, or other shelter location. The bill stipulates that abandonment remains a criminal act even if the animal is left at such a facility, unless the person can demonstrate they made "reasonable arrangements" for the animal's care. The new law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to prevent irresponsible pet ownership and ensure that individuals who cannot care for an animal take appropriate steps to rehome or surrender it safely, rather than simply leaving the animal without proper consideration of its welfare.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0433&ga=114