Animals: care and treatment; forfeiture of seized animals and restitution for the animals' care; amend. Amends sec. 50 of 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.50).
What changed between versions
New definitions were added for key terms including 'adequate care,' 'animal control agency,' 'breeder,' 'neglect,' 'pet shop,' 'sanitary conditions,' 'service animal,' 'shelter,' 'state of good health,' 'tethering,' and 'water' to ensure consistent application of the law.
New requirements were established for dog tethering, mandating that leashes be at least three times the length of the dog and attached to a harness or nonchoke collar, with specific exceptions for grooming, training, or hunting.
New rules were added regarding the humane euthanasia of animals that are injured beyond recovery, pose a threat to public safety, or lack any useful purpose, even if a security bond was posted.
A new civil forfeiture mechanism was created allowing prosecutors to file civil actions to seize animals from owners accused of cruelty, with specific procedures for notice, security deposits, and hearings to cover care costs.
Penalties for animal cruelty were modified to be tiered based on the number of animals involved (ranging from one to 25+) and the number of prior convictions, increasing potential prison time and fines for repeat offenders or those harming multiple animals.
New provisions allow courts to order restitution for the costs of investigating, prosecuting, and caring for seized animals, and to impose probation conditions that restrict or permanently ban an owner from possessing animals.
Strict timelines were added for animal seizure procedures, requiring notice to owners within 72 hours and holding seized animals for 14 days unless a hearing is requested or forfeiture is ordered sooner.
