Senate Bill 2133 aims to amend the existing laws regarding cruelty to livestock animals in Tennessee. The bill specifically revises Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-217(b) by deleting the previous language and replacing it with a new definition of aggravated cruelty to livestock. Under the new provisions, a person is considered to have committed aggravated cruelty if they intentionally starve a livestock animal to death without a justifiable or lawful purpose, or if they engage in certain harmful conduct that results in serious bodily injury or death to the animal, also without justifiable or lawful purpose.

The bill emphasizes the seriousness of animal cruelty and aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding the treatment of livestock. It is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring that the public welfare is prioritized in the enforcement of these new regulations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-14-217(b), 39-14-217