Application of the Pet and Companion Animal Welfare Act expanded, and criminal penalties for maltreatment of animals increased.

A bill for an act

relating to public safety; expanding the application of the Pet and Companion

Animal Welfare Act; increasing criminal penalties for maltreatment of animals;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 346.36, subdivision 1; 346.44;

repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.37, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.36, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

Sections
346.35
to
346.44

deleted text begin
shall only
deleted text end
apply to
new text begin
all persons, including

but not limited to
new text end
veterinarians, animal boarding facilities, and commercial animal facilities.
deleted text begin

As used in
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new text begin
For purposes of
new text end
sections
346.35
to
346.44
new text begin
,
new text end
the terms defined in this section have

the meanings given
deleted text begin
them
deleted text end
.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.44, is amended to read:

346.44 PENALTIES.

Except where otherwise indicated, a person found guilty of failure to comply with a

provision of sections
346.36
to
346.42
is guilty of a
new text begin
gross
new text end
misdemeanor.
new text begin
A person who is

convicted a second or subsequent time for a violation of sections 346.36 to 346.42 is guilty

of a felony and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than two years or to payment

of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.
new text end

Sec. 3.
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REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 346.37, subdivision 5,

new text end

new text begin

is repealed.

new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 26-07651

346.37 GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Subd. 5.

Interpretation of terms.

A dispute as to the meaning of "abuse," "cruelty," or "neglect" shall be resolved by an expert opinion.