May 19, 2016, Introduced by Rep. Kosowski and referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice.
A bill to amend 1931 PA 328, entitled
"The Michigan penal code,"
(MCL 750.1 to 750.568) by adding section 141b.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 141b. (1) A person who inflicts cruel treatment on a
companion animal in the presence of a child is guilty of a
misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500.00 and not less than 100
hours of community service. This subsection applies whether or not
the person is charged with or convicted of a violation of this
chapter for the mistreatment of the companion animal.
(2) A charge and conviction under this section do not prohibit
a person from being charged with, convicted of, or sentenced for
any other violation of law arising out of the same transaction as
the violation of this section.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) "Child" means an individual fewer than 18 years of age.
(b) "Companion animal" means an animal that is commonly
considered to be, or is considered by its owner to be, a pet.
Companion animal includes, but is not limited to, canines and
felines.
(c) "Cruel treatment" means conduct that is prohibited, or
that is substantially similar to conduct prohibited, under 1 or
more of the following:
(i) Section 49, involving dog fighting or dog baiting.
(ii) Section 50, involving neglect or a failure to provide
adequate care.
(iii) Section 50b, involving killing, torturing, mutilating,
maiming, or disfiguring an animal.
(iv) Section 158, involving a crime against nature with an
animal.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.