SB1835 Summary

• Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act to add definitions for "equine" (members of family Equidae) and "tethering" (securing an animal to an anchor point with a restraint).

• Requires dog shelter to be structurally sound, waterproof, windproof, with clean bedding and raised floor (not dirt); requires equine shelter to have 3 sides and waterproof roof with minimum 10 feet by 15 feet sheltered area per animal.

• Establishes minimum tethering requirements for dogs including 15-foot minimum restraint length, prohibition on tethering adjacent to dangerous obstructions, and unrestricted access to shelter and food/water if tethered over 3 consecutive hours.

• Prohibits tethering of dogs under 4 months old, female dogs in season if accessible to males, and pregnant females nearing end of gestation.

• Makes first violation a Class B misdemeanor and second or subsequent violations a Class 4 felony with each day of violation constituting a separate offense; permits court to order psychological evaluation and treatment.