SB 251 Summary

• Dog owners who recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fail to restrain a dog commits a Class C misdemeanor if the dog enters another's property and attacks a person without provocation, resulting in bodily injury.

• The offense escalates to a Class B misdemeanor if the owner has one previous conviction, or a Class A misdemeanor if the owner has multiple prior violations or if the attack results in serious bodily injury.

• A Level 6 felony applies if the owner recklessly violates the restraint requirement and the violation results in serious bodily injury or death; a Level 5 felony applies for intentional or knowing violations resulting in death.

• A person who knowingly or intentionally mutilates or kills a vertebrate animal with intent to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass, or terrorize a family or household member commits domestic violence animal cruelty, a Level 6 felony.

• The law becomes effective July 1, 2014.