KY SB300

Authorizes law enforcement and animal control officers to seize animals from owners found violating animal cruelty laws, including laws against cruelty, neglect, abandonment, sexual crimes against animals, and animal fighting

Requires seizing agencies to notify owners within 24 hours of seizure; owners must return a declaration of ownership form within 5 days or forfeit the animal

Establishes court procedures for determining cost of care payments, with hearings held 10-15 days after petition notice; owners who fail to appear or make payments automatically forfeit the animal

Mandates that felony animal cruelty convictions result in animal forfeiture, reimbursement of care costs, a minimum 5-year ban on owning or having unsupervised access to animals, and required counseling at defendant's expense

Excludes livestock and poultry from coverage but specifically includes horses; owners found not guilty or whose cases are dismissed are not liable for care costs and may be reimbursed