Signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases penalties and authorizes a court to order restitution for costs including veterinary care and housing in animal abuse cases in Michigan.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an animal that was the victim of abuse and was seized by an animal control agency from being returned to the individual alleged to have committed the abuse (Sec. 50).

• Requires a court to award an animal to an animal control agency for evaluation and disposition if its owner is convicted of abuse (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that an animal’s owner may post a security deposit or bond that prevents the forfeiture of the animal until a court makes a final determination regarding the animal’s disposition (Sec. 50).

• Authorizes a prosecuting attorney to initiate a civil action in the final determination of criminal charges to request the court to issue a forfeiture of an animal (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that if an animal’s owner does not post a security deposit or bond, or request a hearing within 14 days of the seizure of the animal by an animal control agency, the agency may offer the animal for adoption, transfer it to another agency, or perform humane euthenasia (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that if the owner of an animal is found not guilty by a court, any security deposit or bond paid for the holding of the animal shall be returned to the owner (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 50).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases penalties and authorizes a court to order restitution for costs including veterinary care and housing in animal abuse cases in Michigan.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an animal that was the victim of abuse and was seized by an animal control agency from being returned to the individual alleged to have committed the abuse (Sec. 50).

• Requires a court to award an animal to an animal control agency for evaluation and disposition if its owner is convicted of abuse (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that an animal’s owner may post a security deposit or bond that prevents the forfeiture of the animal until a court makes a final determination regarding the animal’s disposition (Sec. 50).

• Authorizes a prosecuting attorney to initiate a civil action in the final determination of criminal charges to request the court to issue a forfeiture of an animal (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that if an animal’s owner does not post a security deposit or bond, or request a hearing within 14 days of the seizure of the animal by an animal control agency, the agency may offer the animal for adoption, transfer it to another agency, or perform humane euthenasia (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that if the owner of an animal is found not guilty by a court, any security deposit or bond paid for the holding of the animal shall be returned to the owner (Sec. 50).

• Specifies that this Act takes effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 50).

Full Bill Text