Bill > HB1165

This bill makes several changes to animal-related laws, including removing partial liability for individuals who forcibly enter a motor vehicle to rescue a domestic animal in danger, provided they follow specific steps and use only necessary force. It also increases penalties for certain animal offenses, such as making the death or permanent injury of an animal an aggravating circumstance for sentencing, and establishes a defense for individuals attacked by law enforcement animals if their actions were reasonable and they did not contribute to the situation. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions for animal-related offenses, ensuring that animal cruelty statutes apply to rodents that are not considered nuisance rodents, and expands the scope of certain animal cruelty laws to include companion animals and domestic animals.