IN HB1604

Upgrades offense for mistreating search and rescue dogs from Class A misdemeanor to Level 6 felony, with Level 5 felony for acts causing serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent loss of bodily function, or death.

Upgrades offense for mistreating service animals from Class A misdemeanor to Level 6 felony, with Level 5 felony for acts resulting in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent loss of bodily function, or death.

Increases penalty for beating a vertebrate animal from Class A misdemeanor to Level 6 felony, with Level 5 felony if offender has previous conviction or committed offense to threaten/intimidate a family member.

Upgrades torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal from Level 6 felony to Level 5 felony and killing a domestic animal without owner consent from Level 6 felony to Level 5 felony.

Courts must consider requiring psychological, behavioral, or other counseling for convicted offenders or adjudicated delinquent children as part of sentence or dispositional decree.