Bill

Bill > S1576


FL S1576

FL S1576
Animal Welfare


summary

Introduced
01/04/2018
In Committee
01/12/2018
Crossed Over
03/08/2018
Passed
03/09/2018
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/26/2018

Introduced Session

2018 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Requiring specified entities that take receivership of lost or stray dogs or cats to adopt written policies and procedures to ensure that every reasonable effort is made to quickly and reliably return owned animals to their owners; authorizing a court to prohibit certain offenders from owning or having custody or control over animals; revising the ranking of offenses on the offense severity ranking chart of the Criminal Punishment Code, etc.

AI Summary

This bill: 1. Requires public and private animal shelters, humane organizations, and animal control agencies to adopt written policies and procedures to quickly and reliably return lost or stray dogs and cats to their owners. This includes screening for identification, matching lost animals with reported lost pets, providing public notice, making reasonable efforts to notify owners, and establishing procedures to minimize euthanasia of owned animals. 2. Amends the law on cruelty to animals, increasing penalties for intentionally torturing or tormenting an animal and allowing courts to prohibit certain offenders from owning or having custody of animals. 3. Revises the offense severity ranking chart in the Criminal Punishment Code to reclassify the offense of "torturing any animal with intent to inflict intense pain, serious physical injury, or death" as a Level 5 felony. 4. Takes effect on October 1, 2018.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (4)

Other Sponsors (2)

Agriculture (Senate), Community Affairs (Senate)

Last Action

Chapter No. 2018-87 (on 03/26/2018)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...