Treatment of Animals
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Official record
Bill Summary - 25LSO-0703 Bill No.: HB0275 Effective: 7/1/2025 LSO No.: 25LSO-0703 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0046 Chapter No.: 93 Prime Sponsor: Byron Catch Title: Treatment of animals. Has Report: No Subject: Amending the crime of and penalty for cruelty to animals concerning wildlife. Summary/Major Elements: Current law provides both misdemeanor and felony offenses for cruelty to animals, depending on the animal and the action taken against the animal. This act provides a new offense for cruelty to animals if a person knowingly, and with intent to cause undue suffering, tortures, torments, or mutilates living wildlife, including predatory animals and predacious birds, after taking the living wildlife into their possession. The act clarifies that, for this new offense, the immediate killing of living wildlife isn't a violation; and nothing for this new offense is to be construed to require a snare or trap to be checked earlier than required under current law and rule. A first offense of the new cruelty offense is a misdemeanor, while a second or subsequent offense is a felony. The act also amends the penalty for misdemeanor cruelty to animals to provide imprisonment of up to six (6) months, a fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or both. The act also provides that a person who is guilty of cruelty to animals shall be subject to the revocation and suspension of any relevant game-and-fish license or privilege. The act provides that any person who pursues a predatory animal or a predacious bird by using a vehicle or other conveyance device that injures or incapacitates the animal or bird must make a reasonable effort to immediately kill the animal or bird. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 5, 8:07 AM
R · S23
Why they voted this way
The speaker supports the amendment to clarify that individuals performing governmental predator control duties are not required to ensure an immediate kill, addressing concerns from agricultural producers.
R · S11
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because they believe imposing four separate penalties, including property forfeiture worth tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, goes too far for this crime.
R · S27
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because they believe mistreating animals is as serious as shooting big game out of season and should carry equal penalties.
D · S09
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because they view asset forfeiture as an inappropriate and barbaric addition to existing criminal penalties.
R · S14
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because they personally disagree with statutes that allow for seizing personal property in cases involving animal mistreatment or hunting violations.
R · H22
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because it was not discussed in previous meetings, appears similar to another drafted bill, and he encourages a no vote based on these factors.
R · H21
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment to keep the bill clean, citing recent predator incidents and personal knowledge that motorized vehicles are necessary for ethical population control on public land.
D · H13
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes supporting the amendment because he believes its language would make it illegal to accidentally run over an animal on a highway.
R · H02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment, stating that the necessary points have already been made.
D · H45
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment to address cultural issues regarding animal treatment, arguing that chasing animals with snow machines is for fun rather than humane control.
R · H20
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the amendment because it will resolve the issue of animal mistreatment, protect landowners' rights on private property, and allow Wyoming to heal its reputation.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
5 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
5 stored
The amendment adds new restrictions on how wildlife can be taken using vehicles and aircraft in both private and public lands.
The amendment adds new penalties for cruelty to certain wildlife and clarifies the treatment of these animals.
The amendment adds language to specify that certain provisions about wildlife do not apply to actions taken from an aircraft.
The amendment adds an exception for government agencies and their representatives when they use airplanes as part of their official duties.
The amendment to HB0275 removes certain sections related to animal cruelty penalties, reporting requirements, and specific definitions.