ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB 2324: animal cruelty; classification

Sponsor: Representative Payne, LD 27

Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety

Overview

Increases penalties for specified animal cruelty crimes.

History

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-2910, the following animal cruelty crimes are a class 5 felony:

1)   intentionally or knowingly subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment; and

2)   intentionally or knowingly killing a domestic animal without either legal privilege or the owner's consent.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-2910, the following animal cruelty crimes are a class 6 felony:

1)   intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel neglect or abandonment resulting in serious injury to an animal;

2)   intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel mistreatment;

3)   intentionally or knowingly interfering with, harming or killing a working or service animal without either legal privilege or the owner's consent;

4)   intentionally or knowingly allowing one's dog to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service animal; and

5)   intentionally or knowingly exercising unauthorized control over a service animal with the intent to deprive the handler of the animal.

Additionally, various other forms of animal cruelty, such as cruel neglect or abandonment, failure to provide necessary medical attention, inflicting unnecessary physical injury and cruel mistreatment of animals are classified as class 1 misdemeanors (A.R.S. § 13-2910).

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteProvisions

1.   Increases, to a class 4 felony, the classification of the following crimes:

a)   intentionally or knowingly subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment;

b)   intentionally or knowingly killing a domestic animal without either legal privilege or the owner's consent;

c) intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel neglect or abandonment resulting in serious injury to an animal;

d)   intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel mistreatment;

e)   intentionally or knowingly interfering with, harming or killing a working or service animal without either legal privilege or the owner's consent;

f) intentionally or knowingly allowing one's dog to interfere with, kill or cause physical injury to a service animal; and

g)   intentionally or knowingly exercising unauthorized control over a service animal with the intent to deprive the handler of the animal. (Sec. 1)

2.   Requires a person convicted of the aforesaid crimes to be sentenced to at least one year in prison. (Sec. 1)

3.   Prohibits a person convicted of the aforesaid crimes from being eligible for probation or suspension of sentence until the entire sentence has been served. (Sec. p

4.   1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

                        HB 2324

Initials NM    Page 0 Military Affairs & Public Safety

 

---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------