Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB850: AN ACT relating to working livestock dogs.
Status: In committee, March 10, 2026
Amend KRS 258.265 to exempt a working livestock dog found at large from seizure by a peace officer or animal control officer when unaccompanied and unrestrained by its owner between sunset and sunrise or when engaged in a lawful working activity.
What the bill says
An act relating to working livestock dogs.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to working livestock dogs. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 258.265 is amended to read as follows: (1) An owner shall exercise proper care and control of his or her dog to prevent the dog from violating any local government nuisance ordinance. (2) Any peace officer or animal control officer may seize or destroy any dog found running at large between the hours of sunset and sunrise,[ and] unaccompanied, and not under the control of its owner or handler. A peace officer or animal control officer shall be under a duty to make a fair and reasonable effort to determine whether any dog found at large between sunset and sunrise is a working livestock dog, hound, or other hunting dog which has become lost temporarily from a pack or wandered from immediate control of its owner[,] or handler, and if he or she is reasonably sure that the dog is a working livestock dog or hunting dog, then he or she shall not destroy the dog[,] unless it is found in the act of pursuing or wounding livestock, [or] wounding or killing poultry, or attacking human beings. (3) A working livestock dog, hound, or hunting dog may be unrestrained when engaged in lawful working or hunting activities while …
Sponsors
- Savannah Maddox (R, HD-061) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : to Agriculture (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Animals, Livestock, And Poultry, Peace Officers And Law Enforcement, Local Government, Pets And Service Animals, Agriculture
Common questions
- What is HB850?
- HB850 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to working livestock dogs.
- What does HB850 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to working livestock dogs.
- What is the status of HB850?
- In committee as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: to Agriculture (H) (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB850?
- Savannah Maddox (R, HD-061).
- Where is the official record for HB850?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb850.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.