Bill > HB1714

This bill modifies the offense of animal neglect by expanding its definition to include failing to provide adequate control for an animal, with an exclusion for livestock, and also by clarifying that knowingly abandoning an animal without provisions for its adequate care or control is a form of neglect. The bill also revises the penalties for animal neglect, making it a class C misdemeanor for a first offense, but increasing the severity to a class B misdemeanor for repeat offenses or if the neglect results in property damage exceeding $750, physical injury to a person (class A misdemeanor), serious physical injury to a person (class E felony), or death to a person (class D felony). Additionally, the bill allows courts to order offenders to pay for the costs associated with caring for neglected animals, disposing of deceased animals, cleaning up debris, and mitigating public health risks, while also clarifying that this section does not apply to acts or facilities exempted under section 578.007.