1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to animals; specifying criteria for animal cruelty investigations;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 343.22, subdivision 2, by adding a 
1.4 	subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 343.22, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subd. 2.Police investigation. (a) The peace officer shall search the place designated 
1.8 	in the warrant and, together with the veterinary doctor, shall conduct an investigation of 
1.9 	the facts surrounding the alleged violation. The peace officer and the veterinarian shall 
1.10 	use investigative criteria that considers:
1.11 	(1) the body type of the specific breed of animal being investigated as compared 
1.12 	with a normal animal of that same breed;
1.13 	(2) the age and stage of life of the animal; and
1.14 	(3) the heredity, purpose, and function of the breed.
1.15 	The investigation must be videotaped in its entirety and the peace officer shall submit 
1.16 	the videotape to the court, along with the return of the executed warrant. A copy of the 
1.17 	videotape must be made available to a person claiming an interest in the animal upon 
1.18 	request. The request must be made within ten days of the investigation.
1.19 	(b) The peace officer may retain in custody, subject to the order of the court, any 
1.20 	property or things which are specified in the warrant, including any animal if the warrant 
1.21 	so specifies. The warrant shall contain the names of the persons presenting affidavits in 
1.22 	support of the application and the grounds for its issuance. Service shall be made in 
1.23 	accordance with the provisions of sections  626.13,  626.14, and  626.16. The warrant must 
1.24 	be executed and returned to the court ~~which~~that issued the warrant within ten days after 
2.1 	its date~~;~~. After the expiration of that time the warrant, unless executed, is void. The officer 
2.2 	executing the warrant shall promptly return the warrant to the court, and deliver to it the 
2.3 	videotape, and a written inventory of the property or things taken, verified by the certificate 
2.4 	of the officer. The warrant and order for investigation issued pursuant to this section and 
2.5 	section  343.23 shall have the same force as a warrant issued pursuant to chapter 626. 

2.6 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 343.22, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.7 	to read:
2.8 		Subd. 2a.Right to submit veterinarian's statement to court. A person claiming 
2.9 	an interest in the animal may submit to the court within ten days of the investigation a 
2.10 	letter from the animal's treating veterinarian regarding the animal's health.