HB 2324
Initials NM Page 1 Military Affairs & Public Safety
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
HB 2324: animal cruelty; classification
Sponsor: Representative Payne, LD 27
Committee on Military Affairs & Public Safety
Overview
Increases penalties for specified animal cruelty crimes.
History
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-2910, the following animal cruelty crimes are a class 5 felony:
1) intentionally or knowingly subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment; and
2) intentionally or knowingly killing a domestic animal without either legal privilege or
the owner's consent.
Pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-2910, the following animal cruelty crimes are a class 6 felony:
1) intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel neglect or abandonment
resulting in serious injury to an animal;
2) intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel mistreatment;
3) intentionally or knowingly interfering with, harming or killing a working or service
animal without either legal privilege or the owner's consent;
4) intentionally or knowingly allowing one's dog to interfere with, kill or cause physical
injury to a service animal; and
5) intentionally or knowingly exercising unauthorized control over a service animal with
the intent to deprive the handler of the animal.
Additionally, various other forms of animal cruelty, such as cruel neglect or abandonment,
failure to provide necessary medical attention, inflicting unnecessary physical injury and
cruel mistreatment of animals are classified as class 1 misdemeanors (A.R.S. § 13-2910).
Provisions
1. Increases, to a class 4 felony, the classification of the following crimes:
a) intentionally or knowingly subjecting a domestic animal to cruel mistreatment;
b) intentionally or knowingly killing a domestic animal without either legal privilege or
the owner's consent;
c) intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel neglect or abandonment
resulting in serious injury to an animal;
d) intentionally or knowingly subjecting any animal to cruel mistreatment;
e) intentionally or knowingly interfering with, harming or killing a working or service
animal without either legal privilege or the owner's consent;
f) intentionally or knowingly allowing one's dog to interfere with, kill or cause physical
injury to a service animal; and
g) intentionally or knowingly exercising unauthorized control over a service animal with
the intent to deprive the handler of the animal. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2324
Initials NM Page 2 Military Affairs & Public Safety
2. Requires a person convicted of the aforesaid crimes to be sentenced to at least one year in
prison. (Sec. 1)
3. Prohibits a person convicted of the aforesaid crimes from being eligible for probation or
suspension of sentence until the entire sentence has been served. (Sec. p
4. 1)