This bill amends existing laws regarding animal abuse, neglect, and torture in Iowa. It reclassifies the penalties for these offenses, establishing that a person who commits animal abuse or neglect resulting in serious injury or death to an animal, as well as those who commit animal torture, will be guilty of a class D felony. This is a change from current law, which categorizes a first offense as an aggravated misdemeanor. The new classification means that all such offenses will now be treated as class D felonies, which carry a maximum penalty of five years of confinement and fines ranging from $1,025 to $10,245.

The bill specifically removes the previous designations of aggravated misdemeanors for these offenses and eliminates the distinction for repeat offenders, who would have faced a class D felony only after prior convictions. By making these changes, the bill aims to strengthen the legal consequences for individuals who engage in animal abuse, neglect, or torture, thereby enhancing protections for animals in the state.