WV HB4725

Bill

WV HB4725

Clarifying the disposition of animal subject to animal cruelty treatment.

Introduced
01/22/2026

In Committee
02/13/2026

Crossed Over
02/12/2026

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

A Bill to amend and reenact §61-8-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to cruelty to animals; creating the felony offense of committing a sexual act with an animal; creating definitions for the offense of committing a sexual act with an animal; clarifying the disposition of an animal following a dismissal of criminal charges; authorizing the court to make certain findings in ordering disposition based upon the protection of the animal; clarifying the length a time persons convicted of offenses may be subject to prohibitions on possessing animals; creating penalties; and creating civil and criminal penalties.

AI Summary

This bill amends West Virginia law concerning animal cruelty by creating a new felony offense for committing a sexual act with an animal, defining what constitutes such an act, and establishing penalties for it. It also clarifies how animals are to be handled after criminal charges related to animal cruelty are dismissed, allowing courts to make decisions based on the animal's protection, including potentially euthanizing the animal if a veterinarian or animal control officer testifies it's in the animal's best interest or for public health and safety. Furthermore, the bill extends the duration for which individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses can be prohibited from owning animals, allowing for prohibitions ranging from five years to life for misdemeanors and fifteen years to life for felonies, at the court's discretion.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (5)

James Akers (R)*, Dana Ferrell (R), Joe Funkhouser (R), Laura Kimble (R), Robbie Martin (R),

Last Action

To Judiciary (on 02/13/2026)

Official Document

http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4725&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4725&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill
BillText	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4725%20eng.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=4725
hb4725 hfat akers 2-12 adopted	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfat%20akers%202-12%20adopted.htm
hb4725 hfa akers and young 2-12 _1 revised adopted	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfa%20akers%20and%20young%202-12%20_1%20revised%20adopted.htm
hb4725 hfa akers 2-12 _1 revised adopted	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfa%20akers%202-12%20_1%20revised%20adopted.htm
hb4725 hfa akers 2-12 _1	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfa%20akers%202-12%20_1.htm
hb4725 hfa akers 2-12 _1 revised	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfa%20akers%202-12%20_1%20revised.htm
hb4725 hfat akers 2-12	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfat%20akers%202-12.htm
hb4725 hfa young 2-11	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/legisdocs/chamber/2026/RS/floor_amends/hb4725%20hfa%20young%202-11.htm
BillText	http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4725%20intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=4725

Bill > HB4725

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary