Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 44, Chapter 17.

Under present law, a person commits the offense "cruelty to animals" who knowingly ties, tethers, or restrains a dog in a manner that results in the dog suffering bodily injury. A first offense is a Class A misdemeanor and a second or subsequent conviction is a Class E felony. A person is not subject to prosecution for a violation of this bill unless the person has previously received a warning citation for such conduct.<br /> <br /> Under this bill, it is a Class C misdemeanor offense for a person to knowingly restrain a dog with a chain, cord, tether, cable, or similar device while a natural or manmade disaster is imminent or occurring, including a period of time when:<br /> <br /> (1) A severe flooding or tornado warning issued by the national weather service is in effect for the geographic area where the dog is located; or<br /> <br /> (2) A mandatory or voluntary evacuation order is in effect for the geographic area where the dog is located.<br /> <br /> Nothing in this section prohibits prosecution for cruelty to animals, if the person's conduct results in the dog suffering bodily injury.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 14, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2243, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 adds an element of the offense that the dog is "unattended and not under direct supervision".<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 18, 2022, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 2243, FOR HOUSE BILL 2860. SENATE BILL 2243 FAILED TO RECEIVE A CONSTITUTIONAL MAJORITY AND WAS RE-REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CALENDAR AND RULES.<br />