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.
-
AES Indiana hosting series of community open houses this month
AES Indiana invites community members to attend a series of upcoming Community Open Houses this month, with the first being tonight at OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA .
Porch pirate steals $300 in medication from Indy mom's doorstep
Home security video shows a woman ringing the doorbell at Ashley Hogue’s home before walking away with a package containing more than $300 worth of medication
More IPS graduates are attending college, here's the program that's helping
Across all four IPS district-managed high schools, the admissions cycle saw dramatic growth in 2025. The IPS Future Center gives students a place to figure out what comes after graduation.
Gas main break in Arcadia forces residents to evacuate
A gas main break in Arcadia is forcing residents in the area to evacuate on Monday, according to Arcadia Police.
