A bill aimed at making animal hoarders pay shelters for the care of their seized animals received approval on Tuesday from the Senate Agriculture Committee.
Lawmakers offered examples of shelters facing heavy costs when large numbers of animals have been seized, including a situation in one Kentucky county that involved more than 100 animals and $75,000 of expenses.
The bill also includes a mechanism for owners who cannot or will not pay the cost of care to immediately surrender the animal. That would eliminate the potential for hefty costs to shelters.
The bill includes all animals, but is aimed at domestic animal hording.
The measure passed out of committee with a 9-1 vote.