The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard HB 1165 on various animal related matters sponsored by Sen. Carrasco authored by Rep. McNamara and Rep. Baird. The bill:
- Removes partial liability for damages when a person removes a domestic animal from a motor vehicle.
- Increases certain penalties for offenses involving animals.
- Sets forth new definitions and amends various definitions for offenses relating to animals.
- Specifies that animal cruelty statutes apply to a rodent that is not a nuisance rodent.
- Make certain acts an aggravating circumstance for purposes of sentencing.
The Committee amended the bill by consent to remove a provision regarding humane euthanasia, insert language to define “adequate bedding” and “adequate shelter”, and amend the definition of “neglect”.
The Vanderburgh County Prosecutor and Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 13-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1165