Bill > S1921

This bill establishes a new animal cruelty offense for the cruel confinement of a gestating pig, which is defined as a pregnant domesticated pig kept on a farm for breeding. Specifically, it prohibits owners or operators of farms from confining a gestating sow in a manner that prevents her from turning around freely, lying down, standing up, or fully extending her limbs, with exceptions for medical research, veterinary procedures, transportation, exhibitions, temporary animal husbandry (up to eight hours), humane slaughter, and the ten days prior to giving birth. This new offense is classified as a disorderly persons offense, punishable by a fine of $250 to $1,000 or up to six months imprisonment for each pig cruelly confined, and it amends existing animal cruelty laws to include this specific violation with associated penalties. The bill also clarifies that the use of farrowing crates, which are enclosures designed to protect piglets during birth and nursing, is exempt from these new restrictions.