SB 261: Cruelty to animals; malicious killing of a dog or cat, penalty.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Cruelty to animals; malicious killing of a dog or cat; penalty. Creates, under the animal cruelty provisions, a Class 6 felony for any person who maliciously kills any dog or cat that is a companion animal whether belonging to him or another. Currently, such felony applies only to a person who (i) tortures, willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain not connected with bona fide scientific or medical experimentation, or cruelly and unnecessarily beats, maims, or mutilates any dog or cat that is a companion animal whether belonging to him or another and (ii) as a direct result causes serious bodily injury to such dog or cat that is a companion animal, the death of such dog or cat that is a companion animal, or the euthanasia of such animal on the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian upon determination that such euthanasia was necessary due to the condition of the animal.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. March 10, 2026Left in Appropriations
2. March 9, 2026Rereferred to Appropriations
3. March 9, 2026Motion to rerefer to Appropriations agreed to
4. March 6, 2026Read second time
5. March 4, 2026Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
6. March 3, 2026Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety
7. March 2, 2026Reported from Courts of Justice and referred to Appropriations (20-Y 2-N)
8. February 20, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (9-Y 0-N)
9. February 18, 2026Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
10. February 12, 2026Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
11. February 12, 2026Read first time
12. February 12, 2026Placed on Calendar

Showing 12 most recent of 25 actions. Full history