For amend and vote only, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard Rep. Hatfield’s HB 1615 on death or injury to animals. The bill increases the offense level for certain animal cruelty crimes, amends and creates certain definitions for offenses relating to animals, and provides that a person who prevails in an action based on the wrongful death of the person’s companion animal may recover liquidated damages, the fair market value of the companion animal, the costs of the action, and reasonable attorney’s fees.
The bill was amended by consent to remove language about “humane euthanasia” and the provision allowing for a civil remedy to recover liquidated damages. The amended bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill here: http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1615