Loading chat...
WV HB4725
Bill
Status
Engrossed
2/12/2026
Primary Sponsor
James Akers
Click for details
AI Summary
- Allows courts to order return of animals to owners when animal cruelty charges are dismissed, with conditions the court deems necessary to protect the animal
- Provides alternative disposition options if return is not practicable, including placement with appropriate custody, euthanasia based on veterinarian testimony, or other court-determined arrangements
- Extends the animal possession ban for misdemeanor convictions from a fixed 5 years to 5 years to life at the court's discretion
- Extends the animal possession ban for felony convictions from a fixed 15 years to 15 years to life at the court's discretion
- Updates a statutory citation reference from the older format to the current code format (§60A-1-101)
Legislative Description
Clarifying the disposition of animal subject to animal cruelty treatment.
Courts
Last Action
To Judiciary
2/13/2026
Committee Referrals
Judiciary2/13/2026
Judiciary2/4/2026
Courts2/3/2026
Judiciary1/22/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available