IA HF2348

Amends Iowa Code Section 717B.3A to expand the definition of animal torture to include intentionally or knowingly crushing, burning, drowning, suffocating, impaling, or otherwise subjecting an animal to serious injury or death

Upgrades the base penalty for animal torture from an aggravated misdemeanor to a class "D" felony, punishable by up to 5 years confinement and fines between $1,025 and $10,245

Creates enhanced penalties for repeat offenders with prior convictions for animal-related crimes, increasing the charge to a class "C" felony (up to 10 years confinement, fines between $1,370 and $13,660)

Prior qualifying offenses for enhanced penalties include animal abuse, animal neglect (serious or aggravated misdemeanor), prior animal torture, injury to police service dogs, bestiality, and prohibited animal contest events