Bill > HB1497

This bill, known as "The Protect Our Hunting Dogs Act," establishes statewide protections for hunting dogs, defining them as dogs lawfully used for hunting or tracking game. It makes it a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both, for anyone to intentionally or maliciously kill or seriously injure a hunting dog without legal justification, and mandates restitution for related costs. The act also grants handlers a limited right to retrieve a hunting dog that has unintentionally strayed onto private property, provided they do not carry weapons, make reasonable efforts to notify the landowner, limit their entry solely to retrieval, and cause no damage; however, this right does not permit hunting, using motorized vehicles without permission, or entering posted property where reasonable alternatives exist, and violations can lead to criminal trespass charges. Furthermore, handlers acting within these retrieval guidelines will not be held civilly liable for trespass if no damage occurs, and the act preempts any conflicting local ordinances, ensuring uniform application across Mississippi starting July 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1497.xml