SB 1499

Abstract

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Adds specified offenses of the Humane Care for Animals Act for which law enforcement making an arrest may take possession of a companion animal. Adds specified offenses of the Act for which a court may order the forfeiture of an animal. Provides that upon a violation (rather than conviction) of specified offenses, the court may order the person in violation to forfeit the animal or animals that are the basis of the violation. Provides that a court may order that the person in violation and certain persons in the person's household may not own, possess, harbor, or have custody or control of any other animals for a reasonable period of time, including permanent relinquishment. Provides that a person who violates such a prohibition is subject to immediate forfeiture of any animal and subject to imprisonment for not more than 90 days, a fine of not more than $2,500, or both. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that in a petition for forfeiture of companion animals prior to trial, the burden is on the prosecution to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the person arrested violated provisions of the Act prohibiting the depiction of animal cruelty. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill. Provides that the animal forfeiture provisions apply to a person who received an entry of an order for supervision for various violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act. Adds various other offenses under the Humane Care for Animals Act for which forfeiture of the animals is a consequence of violating those provisions. Effective immediately