1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to animals; allowing veterinarians to dock 
  1.3             horses; repealing requirements for the care of equine 
  1.4             animals; repealing restrictions on clipped animals; 
  1.5             changing dog house specifications; amending Minnesota 
  1.6             Statutes 1996, sections 343.25; and 343.40, 
  1.7             subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
  1.8             sections 343.26; and 346.38. 
  1.9   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.10     Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 343.25, is 
  1.11  amended to read: 
  1.12     343.25 [DOCKING HORSES; PENALTY.] 
  1.13     Except when performed by a licensed veterinarian, a person 
  1.14  who cuts the bony part of a horse's tail for the purpose of 
  1.15  docking it, or who causes or knowingly permits the same to be 
  1.16  done upon premises of which the person is owner, lessee, or 
  1.17  user, or who assists in the cutting is guilty of a misdemeanor.  
  1.18  When a horse is found so cut, upon the premises or in the 
  1.19  custody of any person, and the wound resulting is unhealed, that 
  1.20  fact shall constitute prima facie evidence that the offense was 
  1.21  committed by the person.  All fines resulting from complaint 
  1.22  made by an officer or agent of any society of this state for the 
  1.23  prevention of cruelty to animals for any offense specified in 
  1.24  this section shall be paid to the society whose officer or agent 
  1.25  made the complaint. 
  1.26     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 343.40, 
  1.27  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  2.1      Subd. 2.  [BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS.] The shelter shall 
  2.2   include a moistureproof and windproof structure of suitable size 
  2.3   to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat.  It 
  2.4   shall be made of durable material with a solid floor that is 
  2.5   insulated or raised at least two inches from the ground and 
  2.6   with.  When appropriate for the breed of dog using the 
  2.7   structure, the entrance of the structure must be covered during 
  2.8   the months of December, January, and February by a flexible 
  2.9   windproof material or a self-closing swinging door.  The 
  2.10  structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of 
  2.11  suitable bedding material consisting of hay, straw, cedar 
  2.12  shavings, blankets, or the equivalent, to provide insulation and 
  2.13  protection against cold and dampness and promote retention of 
  2.14  body heat. 
  2.15     Sec. 3.  [REPEALER.] 
  2.16     Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 343.26 and 346.38, are 
  2.17  repealed.