Offenses Against General Welfare and Animals
ORS
167.350
Forfeiture of rights in mistreated animal
- costs
- disposition of animal
(1)
(a)
In addition to and not in lieu of any other sentence it may impose, a court may require a defendant convicted under ORS 167.315 (Animal abuse in the second degree) to 167.333 (Sexual assault of an animal), 167.340 (Animal abandonment), 167.355 (Involvement in animal fighting) or 167.365 (Dogfighting) to forfeit any rights of the defendant in the animal subjected to the violation, and to repay the reasonable costs incurred by a government agency, a humane investigation agency or its agent or a person prior to judgment in caring for each animal associated with the criminal proceeding.(b)
If a government agency or a humane investigation agency or its agent provides care and treatment for impounded or seized animals, a court that orders a defendant to repay reasonable costs of care under paragraph (a) of this subsection may not reduce the incurred cost amount based on the agency having received donations or other funding for the care.(2)
(a)
When the court orders the defendant’s rights in the animal to be forfeited, the court may further order that those rights be given over to an appropriate person or agency demonstrating a willingness to accept and care for the animal or to the county or an appropriate animal care agency for further disposition in accordance with accepted practices for humane treatment of animals. The court may not transfer the defendant’s rights in the animal to any person who resides with the defendant.(b)
This subsection does not limit the right of the person or agency to whom rights are granted to resell or otherwise make disposition of the animal. A transfer of rights under this subsection constitutes a transfer of ownership. The court shall require a person to whom rights are granted to execute an agreement to provide minimum care to the animal. The agreement must indicate that allowing the defendant to possess the animal constitutes a crime.(3)
In addition to and not in lieu of any other sentence it may impose, a court may order the owner or person having custody of an animal to repay any reasonable costs incurred by a government agency, a humane investigation agency or its agent or a person in providing minimum care to the animal that are not included in a repayment order under subsection (1) of this section.(4)
A court may order a person convicted under ORS 167.315 (Animal abuse in the second degree) to 167.333 (Sexual assault of an animal), 167.340 (Animal abandonment), 167.355 (Involvement in animal fighting), 167.365 (Dogfighting) or 167.428 (Cockfighting) to participate in available animal cruelty prevention programs or education programs, or both, or to obtain psychological counseling for treatment of mental health disorders that, in the court’s judgment, contributed to the commission of the crime. The person shall bear any costs incurred by the person for participation in counseling or treatment programs under this subsection.(5)
ORS 131.550 (Definitions for ORS 131) to 131.600 (Record keeping and reporting requirements) do not apply to the forfeiture of an animal subjected to a violation of ORS 167.315 (Animal abuse in the second degree) to 167.333 (Sexual assault of an animal), 167.340 (Animal abandonment), 167.355 (Involvement in animal fighting), 167.365 (Dogfighting) or 167.428 (Cockfighting). Any such animal is subject to forfeiture as provided in subsections (1) to (3) of this section or, if the animal is a fighting bird, as provided in ORS 167.435 (Forfeiture of rights in fighting birds, source birds or property). [Formerly 167.862; 1993 c.519 §2; 1995 c.663 §6; 2001 c.666 §29; 2001 c.926 §§14a,14b; 2005 c.830 §28; 2009 c.273 §2; 2009 c.550 §3; 2017 c.677 §4]Notes of Decisions
Under 1999 version of statute, authority of court to order repayment of reasonable costs incurred in caring for each animal “subjected to abuse, neglect or abandonment” was limited to costs related to specific animals that were subject of crimes for which convictions were entered. State v. Marsh, 187 Or App 47, 66 P3d 541 (2003)