Substitute House Bill No. 60 Summary

• Expands the definition of "companion animal" to include any dog or cat regardless of location, including those in pet stores, strengthening protections for these animals.

• Creates mandatory prison terms and mandatory fines for assaulting a police dog or horse that result in the animal's death, with fines paid to the law enforcement agency served by the animal.

• Increases penalties for animal cruelty violations, including felony charges for knowingly causing serious physical harm to companion animals and misdemeanor charges for negligent deprivation of food, water, or shelter.

• Establishes a state collaborative effort among the attorney general, veterinary licensing board, pharmacy board, and veterinary medical association to develop educational resources helping veterinarians identify clients who may abuse opioids and use animals to illegally obtain them.

• Prohibits humane societies from prosecuting felony violations of animal cruelty statutes, limiting their enforcement authority to misdemeanors and other specified violations.