Section 15-20-1-5 - Wolf hybrid and coydog liability; criminal offenses(a) The following definitions apply throughout this section:(1) "Coydog" means: (A) an animal that is the offspring of a coyote and another animal; or(B) an animal that is the offspring of:(i) an animal that is the offspring of a coyote and another animal; and(2) "Secure enclosure" means an outdoor pen that is:(A) roofed or that has sides at least six (6) feet tall; and(B) constructed in such a manner that the type of animal contained within the pen cannot reasonably be expected to escape.(3) "Wolf hybrid" means:(A) an animal that is the offspring of a wolf and another animal; or(B) an animal that is the offspring of: (i) an animal that is the offspring of a wolf and another animal; and(b) An owner of a wolf hybrid or coydog shall:(1) keep the animal in a building or secure enclosure; or(2) keep the animal:(A) under the reasonable control of an individual; and(B) on a leash not more than eight (8) feet in length. Subject to subsections (c) and (d), an owner who does not comply with this subsection commits a Class B infraction. An owner who merely tethers or chains a coydog or wolf hybrid does not comply with this subsection.
(c) Subject to subsection (d), an owner of a wolf hybrid or coydog commits a Class B misdemeanor if the owner recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally fails to comply with subsection (b) and: (1) the wolf hybrid or coydog enters property other than the property of the owner; and(2) the wolf hybrid or coydog causes damage to livestock or the personal property of another individual.(d) The offense under subsection (c) is:(1) a Class A misdemeanor if the owner has one (1) prior unrelated conviction under this section;(2) a Level 6 felony if: (A) the owner has more than one (1) prior unrelated conviction for a violation under this section; or(B) the owner knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fails to comply with subsection (b) and the failure to comply results in serious bodily injury to a person; and(3) a Level 5 felony if the owner knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly fails to comply with subsection (b) and the failure to comply results in the death of a person.(e) Notwithstanding IC 36-1-3-8(a), a unit (as defined in IC 36-1-2-23 ) may adopt an ordinance: (1) prohibiting a person from possessing a wolf hybrid or coydog; or(2) imposing:(A) a penalty of more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) up to the limits prescribed in IC 36-1-3-8(a)(10)(B) for a violation of subsection (b); or(B) conditions on the possession of a wolf hybrid or coydog that are more stringent than the provisions of subsection (b).Pre-2008 Recodification Citation: 5-5-12-3.5.
Amended by P.L. 158-2013, SEC. 227, eff. 7/1/2014.As added by P.L. 2-2008, SEC.11.