AZ HB2429

Adds new statute A.R.S. 3-1313 establishing criminal penalties for intentional, knowing or reckless cruelty to livestock or poultry, including injury, deprivation of sustenance, beating, mutilation, torture or torment.

Prohibits counties, cities and towns from enacting ordinances more restrictive than state law regarding livestock or poultry treatment and agricultural husbandry practices.

Exempts normal good husbandry practices, lawful pest extermination, and humane slaughter or euthanization from cruelty prohibitions.

Establishes penalties: intentional/knowing violations resulting in death or serious injury or torture violations are class 6 felonies; other violations are class 1 misdemeanors, with second or subsequent violations elevated to class 6 felonies.

Amends A.R.S. 13-2910 to exclude livestock and poultry that are part of regulated agricultural operations from general animal cruelty laws, and adds animal hoarding as a separate offense with class 1 misdemeanor penalties.