Senate committee backs bill criminalizing placing objects into animal enclosures

House Bill 1196 would amend the criminal‑trespass statute to make it an offense when a person knowingly causes a foreign object to enter an animal enclosure or interferes with the operation or integrity of a cage or containment area for wild animals.

The bill’s sponsor told the committee the change responds to incidents at zoos across the state and aims to clarify existing law so those enforcing it have a specific prohibition to use. "This would update our criminal trespass law by providing for criminal trespass for someone who knowingly causes a foreign object to enter an animal enclosure," the sponsor said.

Brian Hudson of the Hudson Group, representing Zoo Atlanta, said patrons have thrown shoes, rocks and coins that animals can ingest and that the organization supports clearer criminal prohibitions to deter dangerous conduct and protect animal welfare.

Committee members discussed hypothetical scenarios and joked about a widely circulated video involving a stuffed animal, but the conversation focused on tailoring the statute to avoid unintended results for benign interactions. After discussion a motion to do pass — including a companion motion assigning a carrier for the bill — was seconded and the committee voted unanimously to advance HB 1196.

Next steps: HB 1196 will be carried to the Senate floor by the senator designated by the committee.