Modifies provisions relating to offenses involving animals

Summary

The bill classifies owning a dog that has bitten a person or animal as a misdemeanor, increasing to higher‑level misdemeanors or felonies if the bite causes serious injury, emotional harm, or death, especially if the dog has a prior serious bite. It requires animal control to seize and potentially destroy such dogs, but owners can appeal the destruction in circuit court. An exception shields owners from liability if the victim was committing a crime at the time of the bite, except for simple trespass by minors.

AI-generated summary — may be incomplete or inaccurate. Verify against the official bill text.

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