Senate Bill 930 Summary

• Amends Michigan's animal cruelty law (MCL 750.50) to add prohibition against leaving or confining an animal in an unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the animal's health or well-being, including heat, cold, lack of ventilation, food, or water.

• Establishes tiered penalties for violations: first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 45 days imprisonment or $350 fine; second or subsequent offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment or $500 fine; violation resulting in serious physical harm is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or $1,000 fine; violation resulting in death is a felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment or $5,000 fine.

• Adds specific requirements for dog tethering, requiring tethers to be at least 3 times the dog's length and attached to a harness or non-choke collar designed for tethering.

• Establishes procedures for civil forfeiture of animals during pending criminal proceedings, allowing prosecuting attorneys to file civil actions to transfer animal custody to shelters or veterinarians before trial conclusion.

• Allows courts to order convicted offenders to undergo psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling, ban animal ownership for specified periods, and pay costs of animal care and housing.