1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to animals; allowing officers certain 
  1.3             discretion in investigating alleged cruelty; amending 
  1.4             Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 343.12. 
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 343.12, is 
  1.7   amended to read: 
  1.8      343.12 [DUTIES OF PEACE OFFICERS.] 
  1.9      Upon application of any agent appointed by the federation 
  1.10  or a county or district society, it shall be the duty of, any 
  1.11  sheriff or the agent's deputy or any police officer to 
  1.12  investigate any alleged violation of the law relative to cruelty 
  1.13  to animals, and ~~to arrest~~ may arrest or warn any person found 
  1.14  violating those laws.  ~~It shall also be the duty of those~~ 
  1.15  ~~officers to~~ If the officer determines that the health and safety 
  1.16  of the animal will continue to be at risk, the officer may take 
  1.17  possession of any animals in their respective jurisdictions 
  1.18  which have been cruelly treated, and deliver the same to the 
  1.19  proper officers of the county or district for custody and care.