MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Fillingane, Moore (100th)

House Bill 649

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

     AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-41-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR HARMING A HUNTING DOG; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 97-41-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     97-41-16.  (1)  Any person, not the fee simple owner of land upon which the dog was harmed, who shall maliciously, either out of a spirit of revenge or wanton cruelty, or who shall mischievously kill, maim or wound, or injure any dog, or cause any person to do the same, shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months and such person shall lose all hunting privileges for one (1) year if such dog is a hunting dog and it is injured during hunting seasons which allow the use of dogs.

     (2)  In addition to such fine or imprisonment which may be imposed, the court shall order that restitution be made to the owner of such dog.  The measure for restitution in money shall be the current replacement value of such loss and/or the actual veterinarian fees, special supplies, loss of income and other cost incurred as a result of actions in violation of subsection (1) of this section.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.