RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 551 (HB 224) 2024 Regular Session Kerner
Existing law provides for the crime of simple cruelty to animals.
New law retains existing law.
Existing law provides that whoever commits the crime of simple cruelty to animals shall be
fined not more than $100, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
New law retains existing law and provides that the court may also issue an order prohibiting
the defendant from owning or keeping animals for a period of not more than one year.
Existing law provides that whoever commits a second or subsequent offense of simple
cruelty to animals shall be fined not less than $5,000 nor more than $25,000 or be
imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year nor more than 10 years, or
both.
New law retains existing law.
Prior law required the court to issue an order prohibiting the defendant from owning or
keeping animals for a period of time deemed appropriate by the court.
New law provides that the court may prohibit the defendant from owning or keeping animals
for a period of five years for a second or subsequent offense, rather than for a period of time
deemed appropriate by the court.
Existing law provides for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals.
New law retains existing law.
Existing law provides that in addition to any other penalty imposed for a violation of existing
law, the offender is required to undergo a psychological evaluation and subsequently
recommended psychological treatment and shall be banned by court order from owning or
keeping animals for a period of time deemed appropriate by the court.
New law retains existing law but provides that the court may prohibit the defendant from
owning or keeping animals for a period of not more than 10 years, rather than for a period
of time deemed appropriate by the court.
Effective August 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 14:102.1(A)(2)(a) and (b) and (B)(5))