UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF DOG COLLAR

House Bill 5215 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Triston Cole

Committee:  Natural Resources

Complete to 3-14-16

REVISED SUMMARY:

House Bill 5215 would amend the Michigan Penal Code to make the removal of a dog's collar by an individual who is not the owner of that dog or authorized agent of that dog's owner a misdemeanor.

The new Section 70a being added would set the penalty for unauthorized removal as a fine of not less than $100 but not more than $1,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 90 days. The bill would take effect 90 days after the date it is enacted into law.

FISCAL IMPACT:

To the extent that the bill results in a greater number of convictions, it could increase costs on local correctional systems.  New misdemeanor convictions could increase costs related to county jails and/or local misdemeanor probation supervision.  The costs of local incarceration in a county jail and local misdemeanor probation supervision vary by jurisdiction.  Increases in penal fine revenues would increase funding for local libraries, which are the constitutionally-designated recipients of those revenues.  Also, the bill could have an impact on the judiciary and on local court funding units.  The fiscal impact would depend on how the provisions of the bill affected caseloads and related administrative costs. 

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.