Minnesota Session Laws - 1989, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1989 

                         CHAPTER 55-S.F.No. 294 
           An act relating to animals; providing civil and 
          criminal penalties for the unauthorized release of 
          research animals; amending Minnesota Statutes 1988, 
          section 346.56, subdivision 2; proposing coding for 
          new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609; repealing 
          Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 346.56, subdivision 1.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 346.56, 
subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 2.  [LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES.] A person who without 
permission releases an animal lawfully confined for science, 
research, commerce, or education is liable:  (1) to the owner of 
the animal for damages and, including the costs of restoring the 
animal to confinement and to its health condition prior to 
release; and (2) for damage to personal and real property caused 
by the released animal.  If the release causes the failure of an 
experiment, the person is liable for all costs of repeating the 
experiment, including replacement of the animals, labor, and 
materials. 
    Sec. 2.  [609.552] [UNAUTHORIZED RELEASE OF ANIMALS.] 
    A person who intentionally and without permission releases 
an animal lawfully confined for science, research, commerce, or 
education is guilty of a misdemeanor.  A second or subsequent 
offense by the same person is a gross misdemeanor.  
    Sec. 3.  [REPEALER.] 
    Minnesota Statutes 1988, section 346.56, subdivision 1, is 
repealed.  
    Sec. 4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
    Sections 2 and 3 are effective August 1, 1989, and apply to 
crimes committed on or after that date. 
    Presented to the governor April 25, 1989 
    Signed by the governor April 26, 1989, 6:20 p.m.