Increases penalties for various animal cruelty offenses in Hawaii.

The bill increases penalties for animal cruelty offenses in Hawaii. It raises the penalty for sexual assault of an animal to a misdemeanor for the first offense and a class B felony for subsequent offenses. Cruelty to animals in the first degree is now a class B felony for the first offense and a class A felony for subsequent offenses. Causing injury or death to a service animal or law enforcement animal is a class C felony for the first offense and a class B felony for subsequent offenses. The bill also increases penalties for cruelty to animals by fighting dogs and by trapping.

Increases penalties for various animal cruelty offenses in Hawaii.

The bill increases penalties for animal cruelty offenses in Hawaii. It raises the penalty for sexual assault of an animal to a misdemeanor for the first offense and a class B felony for subsequent offenses. Cruelty to animals in the first degree is now a class B felony for the first offense and a class A felony for subsequent offenses. Causing injury or death to a service animal or law enforcement animal is a class C felony for the first offense and a class B felony for subsequent offenses. The bill also increases penalties for cruelty to animals by fighting dogs and by trapping.