Bill Text: NC H612 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Confinement of Animals in Motor Vehicles

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-05-09 - Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House [H612 Detail]

Download: North_Carolina-2013-H612-Amended.html

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2013

H                                                                                                                                                   2

HOUSE BILL 612

Committee Substitute Favorable 5/9/13

 

Short Title:        Confinement of Animals in Motor Vehicles.		(Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:

April 9, 2013

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to make it unlawful to confine animals in motor vehicles under circumstances that threaten the animals' health.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 47 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 14‑362.4.  Confinement of animals in motor vehicles.

(a)        It is unlawful for a person to willfully confine any animal in a motor vehicle under conditions that are likely to cause suffering, injury, or death to the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or under other endangering conditions. If the animal does not suffer serious injury or die as a result of the confinement, violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. If the confinement does cause serious injury or death to the animal, violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Any subsequent violation of this section, regardless of the injury to the animal, is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

(b)        In order to protect the health and safety of an animal, any animal control officer, animal cruelty investigator appointed under G.S. 19A‑45, law enforcement officer, firefighter, or rescue squad worker who has probable cause to believe that this section is being violated may enter a motor vehicle by any reasonable means under the circumstances after making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person responsible for the animal.

(c)        Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to the transportation of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, or other livestock."

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2013, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.