Two legislators want to amend Kentucky law to require owners in animal cruelty cases to pay for the cost of caring for their pets during the trial, rather than pushing the bill to the agencies that protect their pets. I’m here.
Rep. Charlyn Stevenson (D-Lexington) and Rep. Kim Banta (R-Fort Mitchell) are joining forces to sponsor this bill and hope the state Legislature passes it during next year’s annual session. Are expected.
If city officials seize abused or neglected pets, Banta said, they can end up paying tens of thousands of dollars in damages, especially if someone has hoarded dozens of animals. said.
“This bill seeks to ensure that taxpayers do not receive huge bills for raising animals,” she told the Courier-Journal.
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This would allow an agency that seizes an animal in an animal cruelty case to petition the court to require the owner accused of abuse or neglect to pay for the cost of caring for the pet while the criminal case is ongoing.
Once owners relinquish ownership of their pets, they no longer have to pay the fee and agencies are free to foster or adopt the animals.
Banta said the bill is not just about protecting animals, but about saving taxes and making pet owners pay their fair share.
Stevenson similarly pointed out how the cost of caring for animals can be a burden in these cases, especially in small, rural communities. “…That could be a burden to the county or the animal shelter, so we’re relying on either taxpayers or, you know, strangers to help pay for this.” “We have them because they cost a lot of money in terms of room and board, food and necessary veterinary care.”
She believes the law is fair to owners, agencies responsible for pet care, taxpayers, and the animals involved because it includes provisions to protect owners’ due process rights. He said there was.
Although Stevenson originally proposed the bill, Banta said he signed it because it was a good idea and making it a bipartisan proposal would increase its chances of passing.
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She and Stevenson sponsored the bill in the 2021 legislative session, but the bill did not advance.
But the bill is now gaining momentum. The bill was recently introduced to the Interim Legislative Committee, and both Banta and Stevenson hope it will advance in January when the 2022 session begins.
Morgan Watkins is the Courier-Journal’s chief political reporter. Contact us at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26.
