INDIANAPOLIS — The Corrections and Criminal Law Committee voted down Senate Bill 41 (SB41) last week. This bill pushes for harsher penalties for acts of animal cruelty.
SB 41 was proposed by Sen. J.D. Ford (D-Indianapolis). The bill would change animal cruelty charges from a Level 6 felony to a Level 5.
A Level 6 felony is considered the least serious felony in the state of Indiana. Those facing a Level 6 felony receive a sentence that ranges from six months to two and a half years in prison, and an advisory sentence of one year. Other Level 6 felonies include shoplifting, drug paraphernalia possession and resisting arrest.
Judges can also choose to reduce Level 6 felonies into Class A misdemeanors. The penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is 0 to 365 days in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000.
Changing animal cruelty offenses to a Level 5 felony would mean those facing charges would receive a sentence that ranges between one and six years in prison, and an advisory sentence of three years.
The bill failed on a 3-4 vote.
Although SB 41 did not pass, Sen. Ford and others who serve on the committee passed House Bill 1306 (HB 1306), which raises the killing of police dogs to a Level 5 felony.
HB 1306 will go to the Senate in upcoming months.
-
Anderson police officer arrested for child solicitation
An investigation was initiated after a parent alleged inappropriate texts were being sent from the officer to juveniles while he was working as a school resource officer.
President Biden welcomes US-backed ceasefire between Israel-Hezbollah
President Joe Biden lauded Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for agreeing to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement that would pause the fighting with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
Johnson County Sheriff's Office investigating 100 baseballs thrown on I-65
Johnson County Sheriff's Office is trying to figure out who could be throwing rocks and hundreds of baseballs along I-65.
State moves to drop case against Carmel doctor
The Indiana Attorney General’s office is moving to drop its case against a Carmel doctor it had previously accused of misconduct and being “unfit to practice.”
