H.B. 1580 Summary

• Elevates cruelty to animals in the first degree from a class C felony to a class B felony, with a minimum 5-year prohibition on possessing or owning pet or equine animals after conviction.

• Changes cruelty to animals in the second degree to a class B felony if the offense involves death of an animal or ten or more pet animals, with minimum 5-year ban on animal ownership; remains a misdemeanor for other offenses.

• Increases penalties for cruelty to animals by fighting dogs in the first degree to a class B felony for first offense and class A felony for subsequent offenses.

• Upgrades cruelty to animals by fighting dogs in the second degree to a class C felony for first offense and class B felony for subsequent offenses.

• Increases penalties for sexual assault of an animal to a misdemeanor for first offense and class B felony for subsequent offenses; elevates to class B felony for first offense and class A felony for subsequent offenses if the victim is a minor or offense occurred in presence of a minor.