CO HB1092

Prohibits defendants convicted of felony animal cruelty from owning, possessing, or caring for pet animals for 3 to 5 years as a condition of sentence, unless the treatment provider recommends otherwise and the court agrees.

Requires courts to order comprehensive evaluations prior to sentencing for felony animal cruelty convictions involving knowing torture or torment that resulted in injury, mutilation, or death.

Expands sentencing options to include mental health treatment programs in addition to anger management programs, designed to address underlying causative factors for animal cruelty violations.

Applies the same pet ownership ban and treatment requirements to juveniles adjudicated delinquent for animal cruelty, with court discretion to impose the ban unless the treatment provider recommends against it.

Establishes the short title as "Punky's Law" and takes effect 90 days after the 2019 legislative session adjournment, applying to offenses committed on or after the effective date.