An act relating to penalties and procedures for animal cruelty offenses
Sponsored By: Emilie Krasnow (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.
Convicted abusers face stricter animal limits
After a first cruelty conviction, courts may take rights to the abused animal and other animals owned, kept, or living with the defendant; after later convictions, forfeiture is required. First-offense bans on owning, keeping, caring for, living with, or working with animals may last up to five years, or 10 years for aggravated cruelty. Later offenses require bans lasting at least five or 10 years, respectively. Livestock and poultry are excluded from these forfeitures and bans unless the conviction involved abusing livestock or poultry. Violating an animal ban, including through paid, volunteer, or contractor work involving animal contact, is cruelty; knowingly refusing court-ordered unannounced visits by a humane officer or the Director of Animal Welfare is also cruelty.
Owners face deadlines to contest seizures
When required notice is given, ownership is forfeited 14 days after seizure unless a claimant requests a hearing in time. Officers must make reasonable efforts to notify absent known claimants within 96 hours. A requested hearing generally must occur within 30 days, and the State must show cruelty, neglect, or abandonment is more likely than not. A third party can receive the animal only if they did not participate or consent, did not know the defendant was likely to mistreat it, and can provide proper care. Hearing evidence generally cannot be used against the defendant in a later criminal case, except for perjury or false statements.
People can seek animal ban relief
People under animal-related bans can ask the Criminal Division where their case occurred to end the restriction. They must give the prosecuting office notice and a copy of the petition. The court may grant relief without a hearing if prosecutors do not object within 30 days or both sides agree. Otherwise, the court must grant relief when the person shows it is more likely than not that the ban no longer serves justice. After denial, another petition generally must wait two years, unless the court allows an earlier filing.
Defendants face treatment and program costs
Courts may add approved animal-cruelty prevention or abuse education programs to a defendant's sentence. Courts may also require a psychiatric or psychological evaluation. If the evaluation shows therapy is needed, courts may require treatment by a licensed clinician. These services support prevention and rehabilitation, but defendants may have to pay program or counseling costs.
Owners must fund seized animal care
Claimants seeking a hearing must post security for food and needed veterinary care within 14 days, unless they request hardship relief. Initial security covers 40 days plus an estimate for the next 30 days; further payments are due every 30 days. Beginning July 1, 2026, food security is $1 per non-livestock animal daily, including poultry, and $2.50 per livestock animal daily. If the seizing officer finds immediate veterinary care necessary for health or safety, security adds $250 per non-livestock animal or $500 per livestock animal; these rates remain until new legislation changes them. Courts may reduce or waive security for hardship, but missed required payments can forfeit ownership; appeals must be filed within seven days and require security on the same schedule.
Owners owe care costs after seizures
If forfeiture is denied, the animal returns after actual care costs are paid, minus security already posted. Payment is due within 14 days, but nothing is owed if the court finds no reasonable basis for seizure. Nonpayment can cause forfeiture unless a hardship reduction or waiver is pending or granted. The Animal Welfare Fund may reimburse unpaid costs, capped at remaining security. If forfeiture is ordered, security pays actual care costs and any excess returns to the person who posted it. The defendant or owner must repay reasonable care costs, including veterinary bills, and the Restitution Unit may collect the debt.
Farm cruelty cases get agriculture input
When practical, officials must consult Vermont's agriculture secretary before animal-cruelty enforcement involving livestock or poultry. The secretary helps assess whether the practice or animal's condition reflects acceptable animal husbandry. Missing this consultation does not require dismissal of the case or exclusion of evidence.
Animal caretakers gain funding and protections
Caretakers of seized animals must keep records of identity, residence, location, treatment, and what happens to each animal. Humane officers, shelters, and rescue groups gain civil and criminal immunity for good-faith seizures or care under the law. Immunity does not cover gross negligence or intentional misconduct. Court-transferred security enters the Animal Welfare Fund, and the Division of Animal Welfare must adopt handling and payment rules. The Director may reimburse documented food and necessary veterinary expenses, up to the security received.
Animal investigations add veterinary safeguards
Humane officers can accept animals voluntarily surrendered during cruelty investigations. A Vermont-licensed veterinarian must examine surrendered animals within 72 hours, or as soon as reasonably practical. A Vermont-licensed veterinarian must also accompany warrant-based seizures when practical. A late exam or absent veterinarian does not require dismissal or exclusion of evidence. Interfering with humane officers, the Director of Animal Welfare, or the agriculture secretary during their animal-cruelty duties is unlawful.
Broader bans on animal sexual abuse
Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont law expands animal sexual-abuse offenses. Covered acts include penetration, sexual touching, and transferring semen onto animals, without a valid veterinary or animal husbandry purpose. Knowingly possessing, filming, or sharing obscene images of animal sexual conduct is also animal cruelty. Specified conduct becomes aggravated cruelty when a minor is present or participates. This includes arranging the conduct, obtaining or advertising an animal for it, and allowing it on property someone controls.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Emilie Krasnow
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Barbara Rachelson
Democratic • House
Ian Goodnow
Democratic • House
Kenneth W Goslant
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
House message: Governor approved bill on June 8, 2026
5/29/2026HouseSigned by Governor on June 8, 2026
5/29/2026HouseDelivered to Governor on June 2, 2026
5/29/2026HouseHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment
5/22/2026HouseSenate proposal of amendment concurred in
5/20/2026HouseRules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/20/2026HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/20/2026HouseSenate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/19/2026SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/19/2026SenateRead 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/19/2026SenateNew Business/Third Reading
5/19/2026Senate3rd reading ordered
5/15/2026SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary, as amended, agreed to
5/15/2026SenateProposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary amended as recommended by Committee on Finance
5/15/2026SenateReported favorably by Senator Watson for Committee on Appropriations
5/15/2026SenateReported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendment
5/15/2026SenateRead 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Vyhovsky for Committee on Judiciary
5/15/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Appropriations
5/15/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance
5/15/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary
5/15/2026SenateNew Business/Second Reading
5/15/2026SenateFavorable report by Committee on Appropriations
5/14/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance
5/14/2026SenateFavorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Judiciary
5/14/2026SenateSecond Reading
5/14/2026Senate
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 118)Opens in a new window
6/12/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
5/27/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
5/27/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment
5/20/2026
Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/20/2026
As Passed by the House
3/16/2026
As Passed by the House (Unofficial)
3/16/2026
As Introduced
1/5/2026
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