MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Banks
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 97-17-51 AND 97-17-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE CRIMES FOR TAKING THE DOG, CAT OR PET OF ANOTHER PERSON; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 97-17-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-17-51. Every person who
shall feloniously steal, take and carry away any dog, * * * cat or other pet of
another, shall be subject to indictment therefor, and on conviction shall be
punished by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisoned
in the county jail not more than six (6) months, or both, or imprisoned in the
Penitentiary not less than one (1) year nor more than two (2) years.
SECTION 2. Section 97-17-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
97-17-61. Any person who shall, without the consent of the owner or his agent, take away any horse, mare, gelding, mule, jack, jennet, sheep, cow, bull, ox, hog, or other livestock or dog, cat, other animal or automobile, truck or other motor vehicle, where such taking and carrying away shall not amount to larceny, shall, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or be imprisoned not exceeding one (1) year in the county jail, or both. A verdict of guilty of such taking and carrying away may be rendered under an indictment for larceny, if the evidence shall not warrant a verdict of guilty of larceny but shall warrant a conviction under this section. This section shall not apply to anyone who takes such property believing, in good faith, that he has a right to it. The court shall order any person convicted under this section to pay restitution for any damage caused to any property as a result of violating this section.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.