(a) A person who removes from a dog an electronic or radio transmitting collar or microchip implant without the permission of the owner of the dog and with the intent to prevent or hinder the owner from locating the dog commits a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by fine only; provided, however, that, if the dog wearing an electronic or radio transmitting collar or microchip implant is lost or killed as the proximate result of the removal of the collar or implant, the person commits a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by fine only.

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class A misdemeanorup to 11 monthsup to $2,500
class B misdemeanorup to 6 monthsup to $500
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 39-14-213

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Owner: means a person, other than the defendant, who has possession of or any interest other than a mortgage, deed of trust or security interest in property, even though that possession or interest is unlawful and without whose consent the defendant has no authority to exert control over the property. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Person: includes the singular and the plural and means and includes any individual, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, or other organization or other legal entity, or any agent or servant thereof. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
(b) Upon conviction for a violation of this section, the court shall order that the violator pay as restitution to the owner the actual value of a dog lost or killed as a result of the removal of an electronic or radio transmitting collar or microchip implant from the dog by the violator. The court may also order the violator to pay as restitution to the owner any breeding revenues forfeited due to the loss or death of a dog.