This bill amends and reenacts section 61-8-19 of the Code of West Virginia, focusing on cruelty to animals. It establishes a felony offense for various acts of cruelty, including causing serious bodily injury or death to a domestic animal, failing to provide proper care, abandoning an animal, and leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle, with penalties ranging from fines of $1,000 to $3,000 and imprisonment of one to three years. Additionally, the bill outlines a separate felony for intentional torture or malicious killing of an animal, with penalties of one to five years in prison and fines between $1,000 and $5,000.

The bill also introduces a misdemeanor classification for reckless mistreatment of animals and outlines specific definitions for terms such as "animal," "domestic animal," and "torture." It includes provisions for mandatory psychiatric evaluations for repeat offenders and allows courts to impose restrictions on animal ownership following convictions. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that its provisions do not apply to lawful acts of hunting, farming, or animal training, and it specifies the forfeiture of animals upon conviction. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen animal welfare laws in West Virginia by defining offenses and establishing clear penalties.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-8-19