Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1345
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DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 35-46-3-11.
Synopsis: Offenses against law enforcement animals. Provides that
mistreating or interfering with a law enforcement animal is a Class D
felony. (Current law provides that the offense is a Class A
misdemeanor, absent specified aggravating circumstances under which
the offense is a Class D felony.)
Effective: July 1, 2011.
January 13, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal Code.
Introduced
First Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2011)
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HOUSE BILL No. 1345
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
criminal law and procedure.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SOURCE: IC 35-46-3-11; (11)IN1345.1.1. -->
SECTION 1. IC 35-46-3-11 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2011]: Sec. 11. (a) A person who
knowingly or intentionally:
(1) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a law
enforcement animal; or
(2) interferes with the actions of a law enforcement animal while
the animal is engaged in assisting a law enforcement officer in the
performance of the officer's duties;
commits a
Class A misdemeanor. Class D felony.
(b) An offense under subsection (a)(1) is a Class D felony if the act
results in:
(1) serious permanent disfigurement;
(2) unconsciousness;
(3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of
a bodily member or organ; or
(4) death;
of the law enforcement animal.
(c) (b) It is a defense that the accused person:
(1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or
discipline; and
(2) acted as an employee or agent of a law enforcement agency.
(d) (c) In addition to any sentence or fine imposed for a conviction
of an offense under this section, the court may order the person
convicted to make restitution to the person or law enforcement agency
owning the animal for reimbursement of:
(1) veterinary bills; and
(2) replacement costs of the animal if the animal is disabled or
killed.