HF 1053

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/04/2019 04:30pm

A bill for an act
relating to companion animals; providing criminal penalties for certain acts resulting
in death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2018, section 343.21, subdivision 9.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 343.21, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Penalty.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, a person who
fails to comply with any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor. A person
convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subdivision 1 or 7 within five years of a
previous violation of subdivision 1 or 7 is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

(b) A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in
substantial bodily harm to a pet or companion animal may be sentenced to imprisonment
for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.

(c) A person convicted of violating paragraph (b) within five years of a previous gross
misdemeanor or felony conviction for violating this section may be sentenced to
imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000,
or both.

(d) A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in
death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal may be sentenced to imprisonment
for not more than two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(e) A person who violates subdivision 8a where the violation renders the service animal
unable to perform its duties is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

(f) A person who violates subdivision 8a where the violation results in substantial bodily
harm to a service animal may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or
to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(g) A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in
substantial bodily harm to a pet or companion animal, and the act is done to threaten,
intimidate, or terrorize another person, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than
two years or to payment of a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(h) A person who violates subdivision 8a where the violation results in death or great
bodily harm to a service animal may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than four
years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(i) A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in
death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal, and the act is done to threaten,
intimidate, or terrorize another person, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than
deleted text begin four deleted text end new text begin eight new text end years or to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

new text begin (j) A person who intentionally violates subdivision 1 or 7 where the violation results in
death or great bodily harm to a pet or companion animal, and the act causes extreme pain
or prolonged suffering, may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than eight years or
to payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2019, and applies to violations
committed on or after that date.
new text end