Senate Bill 12

Chairman: David Ralston

Committee:Judiciary Non Civil

House Sponsor: Mark Williams

Senate Sponsor: Chip Rogers

Chairman Ralston’s Opinion of the Legislation:

This legislation provides that any person who removes an electronic or radio transmitting collar from a dog without permission of the owner, and with the intent to prevent the owner from locating the dog, will be punished as a misdemeanor.  If the dog is lost or killed, the party who removed the collar will be required to pay the owner restitution in the amount of the value of the dog and any veterinary bills.

This bill comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule. The Rules Committee approved AM 1115, offered by Bob Lane, to come to the House Floor. The amendment would exempt property owners who remove collars from dogs caught on their property while the dog remains on the property if the property owner gives notice within 24 hours to the local law enforcement agency.