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House advances broad overhaul of animal-cruelty law, adds penalties and expedited forfeiture process
Summary
Lawmakers advanced H578 after committee testimony that Vermont's animal-welfare framework is outdated. The measure expands definitions of sexual conduct with animals, creates new misdemeanor and felony offenses, mandates forfeiture timelines and security to cover care costs, and authorizes an animal welfare fund and rulemaking.
Representative Rachelson, presenting the House Judiciary committee report, said H578 modernizes Vermont's animal-cruelty framework to address gaps in enforcement and care. "Animal cruelty is an ongoing criminal issue in our state and to address it, we need to acknowledge what is happening. It is disturbing and it can be horrifying," she said, introducing the bill's goals and its multiple committee-sourced changes.
Major provisions described by the committee include: expanded definitions of sexual conduct…
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