HB 4130
Increase penalties for abuse of or cruelty to animals
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- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill aims to strengthen penalties for animal abuse and cruelty in West Virginia. It updates existing laws regarding the care of stray, abandoned, and surrendered animals, clarifies the duties of humane officers, and establishes new rules for dog breeders. Specifically, it increases criminal penalties for animal cruelty, requires written disclosures from breeders, mandates confinement of unspayed female dogs, and creates provisions for mental health treatment in cases of animal hoarding. The bill also addresses issues related to animal shelters and their operations.
Key provisions
- Increases criminal penalties for animal abuse and cruelty.
- Requires dog breeders to provide written disclosures to purchasers.
- Mandates confinement of unspayed female dogs in estrus.
- Defines terms related to animal welfare, including ‘Humane Officer,’ ‘Primary Enclosure,’ and ‘Adequate Care.’
- Updates the duties of humane officers and establishes rule-making authority.
- Creates provisions for mental health treatment in cases of animal hoarding.
- Establishes procedures for seizing and caring for abandoned or neglected animals.
- Clarifies minimum standards of care for dog breeders.
Who is affected
- Animal shelters and rescue organizations
- Dog breeders
- Animal owners
- Humane officers
- Individuals suspected of animal abuse
Notable changes
- Enhanced criminal penalties for animal cruelty offenses.
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