Bill > HB1196

This bill amends Georgia law to create new offenses related to criminal trespass involving wild animals, expanding the definition of "harass" to include causing stress and disrupting normal behavior, and defining "foreign object or substance" as anything not authorized by someone in charge of the animal that could be consumed, inhaled, or absorbed. It establishes three degrees of criminal trespass involving a wild animal: first degree, a felony punishable by one to ten years in prison, for entering an animal's enclosure and causing injury or death; second degree, a misdemeanor, for simply entering an enclosure without permission; and third degree, also a misdemeanor, for interfering with the integrity of an enclosure. The bill also clarifies that wild animals kept for public visitation, conservation, education, or science are covered, but domestic animals or livestock not used for these purposes are excluded, and it holds offenders liable for damages, including injury or death to the animal or any person assisting it.

Justice

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/72845