1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to animals; allowing veterinarians to dock 
  1.3             horses; repealing requirements for the care of equine 
  1.4             animals; repealing restrictions on clipped animals; 
  1.5             changing dog house specifications; amending Minnesota 
  1.6             Statutes 1996, sections 343.25; and 343.40, 
  1.7             subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  1.8             sections 343.26; and 346.38, subdivision 4. 
  1.9   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.10     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 343.25, is 
  1.11  amended to read: 
  1.12     343.25 [DOCKING HORSES; PENALTY.] 
  1.13     A person who cuts the bony part of a horse's tail for the 
  1.14  purpose of docking it, or who causes or knowingly permits the 
  1.15  same to be done upon premises of which the person is owner, 
  1.16  lessee, or user, or who assists in the cutting is guilty of a 
  1.17  misdemeanor.  When a horse is found so cut, upon the premises or 
  1.18  in the custody of any person, and the wound resulting is 
  1.19  unhealed, that fact shall constitute prima facie evidence that 
  1.20  the offense was committed by the person.  All fines resulting 
  1.21  from complaint made by an officer or agent of any society of 
  1.22  this state for the prevention of cruelty to animals for any 
  1.23  offense specified in this section shall be paid to the society 
  1.24  whose officer or agent made the complaint.  A horse's tail must 
  1.25  not be docked unless the procedure is performed by a licensed 
  1.26  veterinarian. 
  1.27     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 343.40, 
  2.1   subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  2.2      Subd. 2.  [BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS.] The shelter shall 
  2.3   include a moistureproof and windproof structure of suitable size 
  2.4   to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat.  It 
  2.5   shall be made of durable material with a solid floor that is 
  2.6   insulated or raised at least two inches from the ground and with 
  2.7   the entrance covered by a flexible windproof material or a 
  2.8   self-closing swinging door.  When appropriate for the season of 
  2.9   the year and the breed of dog using the structure, the structure 
  2.10  must have a windbreak at the entrance.  The structure shall be 
  2.11  provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding material 
  2.12  consisting of hay, straw, cedar shavings, blankets, or the 
  2.13  equivalent, to provide insulation and protection against cold 
  2.14  and dampness and promote retention of body heat. 
  2.15     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 346.38, 
  2.16  subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
  2.17     Subd. 5.  [SPACE AND CLEANLINESS REQUIREMENTS.] Constructed 
  2.18  shelters except for tie stalls must provide space for the animal 
  2.19  to roll with a minimum danger of being cast.  Stalls must be 
  2.20  cleaned and kept dry to the extent the animal is not required to 
  2.21  lie or stand in fluids.  Bedding must be provided in all stalls, 
  2.22  kept reasonably clean, and periodically changed.  The nature of 
  2.23  the bedding must not pose a health hazard to the animal. 
  2.24     Sec. 4.  [REPEALER.] 
  2.25     Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 343.26 and 346.38, 
  2.26  subdivision 4, are repealed.