AZ HB2567

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-2910 to redefine and expand animal cruelty offenses, including addition of "cruel possession" as a prohibited act involving confining an animal in a manner detrimental to its health.

Changes the definition of "cruel mistreatment" from "torture or otherwise inflict unnecessary serious physical injury" to simply "inflict unnecessary serious physical injury" and replaces "protracted suffering" with "unreasonable suffering."

Revises "cruel neglect" definition to specify that failure to provide necessary food, water, or shelter must be assessed as "appropriate for the species given the facts of the specific situation."

Maintains classification of violations as class 1 misdemeanors for paragraphs 1-7 and class 6 felonies for paragraphs 8-13 of subsection A, with increased penalties for intentional or knowing violations involving serious injury or death.

Adds definition of "cruel possession" and renumbers subsequent definitions (handler, service animal, working animal) accordingly.