DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 161 Original 2019 Regular Session Robby Carter
Abstract: Creates an animal abuse registry for certain animal abuse offenders and prohibits the
offenders from owning an animal while registered.
Present law prohibits a person convicted of sexual abuse of an animal from owning any animal for
any length of time deemed appropriate by the court, but not less than five years, in addition to other
penalties imposed.
Present law prohibits a person convicted of a second or subsequent offense of simple cruelty to
animals or a first offense of aggravated cruelty to animals from owning any animal for a period of
time deemed appropriate by the court, in addition to other penalties imposed.
Present law imposes penalties for persons convicted of first offense simple cruelty to animals,
dogfighting, injuring or killing a police animal, and hog and canine fighting. The penalties do not
include a prohibition on owning an animal.
Proposed law requires any person convicted of any of the following animal abuse offenses to register
with the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry:
(1)Sexual abuse of an animal.
(2)Cruelty to animals.
(3)Dogfighting.
(4)Injuring or killing a police animal.
(5)Hog and canine fighting.
Proposed law requires the offender to register for 10 years for a first offense and a lifetime for a
second or subsequent offense and prohibits the offender from possessing or owning an animal for
the amount of time registration is required.
Proposed law requires the offender to register within seven days of conviction, release from
incarceration, or moving to La. if convicted in another state.
Proposed law provides that offenders who fail to comply with registration requirements shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
Proposed law requires the Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry to establish a public registry containing
the name, address, date and description of the crime, and current photograph of each registered
offender.
Proposed law requires retail pet stores and animal shelters to check the registry prior to selling or
giving an animal away and prohibits selling or giving an animal to anyone listed on the registry.
Proposed law provides that stores and shelters that violate proposed law shall be subject to the
following fines:
(1)First offense-not more than $250.
(2)Second offense-not more than $500.
(3)Third or subsequent offense-not more than $1,000.
(Amends R.S. 14:89.3(D)(2)(b), 102.1(A)(2)(b), (c), and (d) and (B)(5), 102.5(C), and 102.19(F);
Adds R.S. 3:2521-2525 and R.S. 14:102.1(A)(2)(e) and 102.8(D)(3))