ENROLLED
ACT No. 551
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 224
BY REPRESENTATIVES KERNER AND THOMPSON
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 14:102.1(A)(2)(a) and (b) and (B)(5), relative to the crime of
3 cruelty to animals; to provide for prohibition of owning or keeping an animal after
4 committing the offense of simple cruelty to animals or aggravated cruelty to animals;
5 to provide for penalties; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 14:102.1(A)(2)(a) and (b) and (B)(5) are hereby amended and
8 reenacted to read as follows:
9 ยง102.1. Cruelty to animals; simple and aggravated
10 A.
11 * * *
12 (2)(a) Whoever commits the crime of simple cruelty to animals shall be fined
13 not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or
14 both. In addition, the The court may also order the offender to pay for any expenses
15 incurred for the housing of the animal and for medical treatment of the animal,
16 pursuant to Code of Criminal Procedure Article 883.2. In addition, the court may
17 issue an order prohibiting the defendant from owning or keeping animals for a period
18 of not more than one year.
19 (b) Whoever commits a second or subsequent offense of simple cruelty to
20 animals shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five
21 thousand dollars or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not less than one year
22 nor more than ten years, or both. In addition, the court shall may issue an order
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HB NO. 224 ENROLLED
1 prohibiting the defendant from owning or keeping animals for a period of time
2 deemed appropriate by the court not more than five years.
3 * * *
4 B.
5 * * *
6 (5) In addition to any other penalty imposed for a violation of this
7 Subsection, the offender shall be ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and
8 subsequently recommended psychological treatment and shall may be banned by
9 court order from owning or keeping animals for a period of time deemed appropriate
10 by the court not more than ten years. Any costs associated with any evaluation or
11 treatment ordered by the court shall be borne by the defendant.
12 * * *
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.