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Bill would expand animal‑cruelty crimes, require new sanctions and speed forfeiture hearings
Summary
H.578 would broaden criminal definitions of animal cruelty, make certain offenses felony crimes when minors are involved, expand mandatory court sanctions for repeat offenders, and create expedited civil forfeiture timelines with upfront security requirements tied to an existing animal welfare fund.
At a Wednesday Appropriations hearing, Eric Fitzpatrick of the Legislative Council outlined H.578, a Judiciary bill that would expand the statutory list of conduct that constitutes misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty, increase penalties in certain circumstances and create expedited procedures for civil forfeiture of animals.
Fitzpatrick told the committee the bill has three main components: (1) it broadens definitions of conduct that constitute misdemeanor and felony animal cruelty (including certain sexual‑conduct‑related provisions in the statutory list), and makes specified conduct a felony if a minor is…
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