HF 559 (LSB 2695YH (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE 559

BY  RINKER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to animal abuse, neglect, and torture, and providing penalties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 717B.2, subsections 4 and 5, Code 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   4.  A person who commits animal abuse that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor a class “D” felony.
   5.  Notwithstanding subsection 4, a person who commits animal abuse that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of a class “D” felony if the person has previously been convicted of committing animal abuse pursuant to this section, animal neglect punishable as a serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor pursuant to section 717B.3, animal torture pursuant to section 717B.3A, injury to or interference with a police service dog pursuant to section 717B.9, bestiality pursuant to section 717C.1, or an act involving a contest event prohibited in section 717D.2.
    Sec. 2.  Section 717B.3, subsections 5 and 6, Code 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   5.  A person who commits animal neglect that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor a class “D” felony.
   6.  Notwithstanding subsection 5, a person who commits animal neglect that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of a class “D” felony if the person has been previously convicted of animal abuse pursuant to section 717B.2, animal neglect punishable as a serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor pursuant to this section, animal torture pursuant to section 717B.3A, injury to or interference with a police service dog pursuant to section 717B.9, bestiality pursuant to section 717C.1, or an act involving a contest event prohibited in section 717D.2.
    Sec. 3.  Section 717B.3A, subsections 4 and 5, Code 2025, are amended to read as follows:
   4.  A person who commits animal torture is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor a class “D” felony.
   5.  Notwithstanding subsection 4, a person who commits animal torture is guilty of a class “D” felony if the person has previously been convicted of committing animal abuse pursuant to section 717B.2, animal neglect punishable as a serious misdemeanor or aggravated misdemeanor pursuant to section 717B.3, animal torture pursuant to this section, injury to or interference with a police service dog pursuant to section 717B.9, bestiality pursuant to section 717C.1, or an act involving a contest event prohibited in section 717D.2.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to animal abuse, neglect, and torture.
   The bill provides that a person who commits animal abuse or animal neglect that results in serious injury or death to the animal, or a person who commits animal torture, is guilty of a class “D” felony. A class “D” felony is punishable by confinement for no more than five years and a fine of at least $1,025 but not more than $10,245.
   Current law designates a first offense as an aggravated misdemeanor, and a class “D” felony for subsequent violations.