Signed by Governor Eric Holcomb

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases penalties for animal abuse.

Highlights:

• Amends the language in the definition of “domestic or family violence” against animals by switching the word “beating” to “abusing” (Sec. 1-2).

• Defines “abuse” as knowingly or intentionally beating, tormenting, injuring, or otherwise harming an animal, and includes the destruction of an animal by any means other than humane euthanasia if the person who destroys the animal is a humane society, an animal control agency, or a governmental entity operating an animal shelter or other animal impounding facility (Sec. 8).

• Defines “humane euthanasia” as the humane destruction of an animal using sodium pentobarbital or a derivative, administered in a manner that causes painless loss of consciousness and death, and does not include methods involving the use of carbon monixide, carbon dioxide, or any nonanesthetic inhalant (Sec. 8).

• Expands the definition of “torture” to include destroying an animal by electrocution, and intentionally freezing or heating an animal to death (Sec. 8).

• Classifies knowingly or intentionally destroying or authorizing the destruction of an animal by putting the animal in a decompression chamber and reducing the pressure of or the oxygen content as a Class B misdemeanor (Sec. 11).

Full Bill Text