Bill
Bill > SF2099
summary
Introduced
01/26/2026
01/26/2026
In Committee
01/26/2026
01/26/2026
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 redefines and strengthens penalties for animal torture by specifying that intentionally crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or otherwise causing serious injury or death to an animal, or directing someone else to do so, constitutes animal torture. Previously, this was considered an aggravated misdemeanor, but this bill elevates it to a class "D" felony, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and significant fines. Furthermore, the bill introduces a harsher penalty for repeat offenders or those convicted of related animal cruelty offenses; if a person has a prior conviction for animal abuse, neglect, injury to a police dog, bestiality, or participating in prohibited animal contests, committing animal torture will be considered a class "C" felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison and even larger fines.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Placed on calendar. (on 02/11/2026)
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=SF2099 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF2099.html |
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