STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS26706
Idaho's dangerous dog law was completely revised in 2016. The original law contained a misdemeanor
penalty in addition to restrictions imposed on the further keeping or destruction of the dog. The 2016 rewrite
inadvertently removed any criminal penalty for harboring a dangerous or at-risk dog. Officers in the field
lost the ability to write citations under this section of Idaho Code and this has prevented cases being pursued
and prosecuted to protect public safety.
This legislation restores the misdemeanor penalty under prior Idaho law. Further, it revises the definition of
injury and restores enforcement of the act to those with vested authority.
FISCAL NOTE
This legislation restores a misdemeanor penalty that was inadvertently omitted from the 2016 rewrite. It
will have no impact on the general fund or to local government.
Contact:
Representative Mike Moyle
(208) 332-1000
Jeremy Pisca, Idaho Humane Society
(208) 345-9929
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note H0137


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 25-2810, 25-2811, 25-2812
Engrossment 1: 25-2810, 25-2811, 25-2812
Engrossment 2: 25-2810, 25-2811, 25-2812