Senate Bill 2210

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-41-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CRIME OF MALICIOUS OR MISCHIEVOUS INJURY TO CERTAIN PETS; 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 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 cat, 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.

(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 or cat. 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, 2006.