Abstract: Prohibits the owning or keeping of an animal for certain periods of time after a
conviction for simple cruelty to animals or aggravated cruelty to animals.
Present law provides for the crime of simple cruelty to animals.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present 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.
Proposed law retains present 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.
Present 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. Further provides that the court
shall issue an order prohibiting the defendant from owning or keeping animals for a period of time
deemed appropriate by the court.
Proposed 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.
Present law provides for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that in addition to any other penalty imposed for a violation of present law, the
offender shall be ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation and subsequently be 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.
Proposed law 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.
(Amends R.S. 14:102.1(A)(2)(a) and (b) and (B)(5))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Provide that a court has discretion to issue an order as follows:
(a) Prohibiting a defendant convicted of simple cruelty of animals from owning or
keeping animals for a period of not more than one year.
(b) Prohibiting a defendant convicted of a second or subsequent offense of simple
cruelty of animals from owning or keeping animals for a period of not more than
five years.
(c) Prohibiting a defendant convicted of aggravated cruelty of animals from owning
or keeping animals for a period of not more than 10 years.
3. Remove proposed law penalties that prohibit the following:
(a) The owning or keeping of animals for a period of five years for a second offense
and 10 years for a subsequent offense for a defendant convicted of simple cruelty
of animals.
(b) The owning or keeping of animals for a period of 10 years and for the remainder
of life for a subsequent offense for a defendant convicted of aggravated cruelty
of animals.
4. Remove proposed law penalties for the violation of a court order that prohibits ownership
or keeping of animals for a person convicted of simple cruelty of animals or aggravated
cruelty of animals.


Statutes affected:
HB224 Original: 14:1(A)(2)
HB224 Engrossed: 14:1(A)(2)
HB224 Enrolled: 14:1(A)(2)
HB224 Act : 14:1(A)(2)