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Bill > HF557
IA HF557
IA HF557A bill for an act relating to animal torture, and providing penalties.(See HF 2348.)
summary
Introduced
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
In Committee
02/24/2025
02/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill relates to animal torture. The bill provides that a person is guilty of animal torture if the person intentionally or knowingly crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, impales, or otherwise subjects an animal to serious injury or death or causes, directs, or provides anything of value to another person to do the same. Current law provides that animal torture is an aggravated misdemeanor. The bill increases the penalty to a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245. The bill provides that a person who has previously been convicted of committing animal abuse (Code section 717B.2), animal neglect punishable as a serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor (Code section 717B.3), animal torture pursuant to the bill, injury to or interference with a police service dog (Code section 717B.9), bestiality (Code section 717C.1), or an act involving a prohibited animal contest (Code section 717D.2) is guilty of a class “C” felony. A class “C” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than 10 years and a fine of at least $1,370 but not more than $13,660.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Iowa's animal cruelty law by expanding the definition of animal torture and increasing the associated criminal penalties. Currently, animal torture was considered an aggravated misdemeanor, but the bill upgrades it to a class "D" felony, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years and a fine ranging from $1,025 to $10,245. The bill specifically defines animal torture as intentionally crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or otherwise causing serious injury or death to an animal, and it also criminalizes directing or financially supporting such actions. Additionally, the bill establishes that a person with a prior conviction for various animal-related offenses (including animal abuse, animal neglect, injury to a police service dog, bestiality, or prohibited animal contests) would be charged with a more serious class "C" felony, which can result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine between $1,370 and $13,660. This legislation aims to provide stronger legal protections for animals and more significant consequences for those who commit acts of animal cruelty.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 2348. (on 02/09/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF557 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/HF557.html |
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