relative to cruelty to livestock.

The deadline for returning confiscated livestock when no charges are filed was extended from 7 days to 10 days.

The Department of Justice is now required to develop a specific form to inform accused individuals of their right to a veterinary examination of the confiscated animals.

The role of the investigating officer was updated to include specific staff from the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food, or licensed veterinarians, who must determine probable cause for confiscation.

Minor text corrections were made to remove redundant references to 'paragraphs III or III-a' and adjust formatting.

Added a specific section (IV-b) dedicated solely to cruelty cases involving livestock, separating them from general animal cruelty provisions.

Expanded the list of officers authorized to take animals into temporary protective custody to include officers from duly licensed humane societies.

Clarified that if an animal remains unclaimed after 14 days, custody transfers to the officer's department or society, which then gains the authority to dispose of the animal as if it were the rightful owner.

Updated the euthanasia criteria for confiscated livestock to include a specific cost-benefit analysis regarding allowable reimbursement limits.