HB 5658 Summary

• Adds animal abuse protections to personal protection orders by allowing courts to enjoin respondents from injuring, killing, torturing, neglecting, or threatening to harm animals in which the petitioner has an ownership interest.

• Defines "ownership interest" in an animal to include having property rights, keeping or harboring the animal, having it in one's care, or permitting it to remain on premises occupied by the petitioner.

• Adds new subsection (30) establishing that a petitioner has an ownership interest in an animal if they have property rights, keep or harbor it, have it in their care, or permit it on their premises.

• Adds definition of "neglect" for animal abuse purposes, referencing Michigan Penal Code section 750.50.

• Allows courts to enjoin removal of animals from petitioner's possession and interference with efforts to remove animals from premises solely owned or leased by the respondent.