Anti-Cruelty

Table of Humane Society Enforcement Powers

Summary:

This table outlines the powers granted to agents of humane societies in some states to enforce anti-cruelty statutes. Such powers include serving search warrants, seizing animals, and arresting offenders. Some states require that humane officers complete training and instruction related to investigating animal cruelty.

This table outlines the powers granted to agents of humane societies in some states to enforce anti-cruelty statutes. Such powers include serving search warrants, seizing animals, and arresting offenders. Some states require that humane officers complete training and instruction related to investigating animal cruelty.

Table of State Dog Tether Laws

Summary: This brief overview describes state laws (23 states and D.C.) that concern the tethering or chaining of dogs. It also includes a table of those state laws dealing with tethering with links to the text of the laws.

This brief overview describes state laws (23 states and D.C.) that concern the tethering or chaining of dogs. It also includes a table of those state laws dealing with tethering with links to the text of the laws.

Table of State Laws that Protect Animals Left in Parked Vehicles

Summary: This table describes the laws that concern leaving a companion animal unattended in a parked vehicle. Approximately 31 states have laws that deal with animals left in unattended vehicles. Most of these laws provide that the animal must be confined or unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle. Further, the laws add that in order for a person to violate the law, the conditions have to endanger the animal's life. Under some state laws, law enforcement or other individuals are allowed to rescue animals left under extreme conditions.

This table describes the laws that concern leaving a companion animal unattended in a parked vehicle. Approximately 31 states have laws that deal with animals left in unattended vehicles. Most of these laws provide that the animal must be confined or unattended in a parked or stationary vehicle. Further, the laws add that in order for a person to violate the law, the conditions have to endanger the animal's life. Under some state laws, law enforcement or other individuals are allowed to rescue animals left under extreme conditions.

Table of Reporting Animal Cruelty in the United States

Summary:

The following table, while not exhaustive, provides information on where to report animal cruelty. If you do not find a local contact in your region on this table, you can conduct a search on your favorite search engine for local law enforcement, an animal shelter/control agency, or a humane society.

The following table, while not exhaustive, provides information on where to report animal cruelty. If you do not find a local contact in your region on this table, you can conduct a search on your favorite search engine for local law enforcement, an animal shelter/control agency, or a humane society.

Table of State Animal Sexual Assault Laws

Summary: This table details state laws prohibiting sexual conduct between humans and animals. The majority of states (49) have some provision that criminalizes engaging in sexual conduct with animals. Currently, West Virginia lacks such a law. States are somewhat split between categorizing first offenses misdemeanors or felonies (23 misdemeanor, 26 felony, depending on severity of conduct in states like Nevada and Texas). Subsequent convictions may result in enhanced penalties in many states (felony offenses for second or subsequent convictions). These laws may also require the perpetrator to undergo psychological counseling and may restrain future ownership of animals.

This table details state laws prohibiting sexual conduct between humans and animals. The majority of states (49) have some provision that criminalizes engaging in sexual conduct with animals. Currently, West Virginia lacks such a law. States are somewhat split between categorizing first offenses misdemeanors or felonies (23 misdemeanor, 26 felony, depending on severity of conduct in states like Nevada and Texas). Subsequent convictions may result in enhanced penalties in many states (felony offenses for second or subsequent convictions). These laws may also require the perpetrator to undergo psychological counseling and may restrain future ownership of animals.

WY - Cruelty - Consolidated Cruelty Statutes

Summary: This compilation of laws contains Wyoming's anti-cruelty provisions that were amended in 2021. Under the new laws, a person commits cruelty to animals if the person knowingly overrides an animal or drives an animal when overloaded; intentionally or knowingly, unnecessarily injures or beats an animal; or knowingly carries an animal in a manner that poses undue risk of injury or death. Additionally, a person has the charge or custody of any animal under circumstances that manifest "extreme indifference" to the animal's safety, health or life, and fails to provide it with listed necessities, abandons the animal, fails to provide the animal with appropriate care in the case of immediate and obvious serious injury or illness also commits cruelty to animals. Other prohibitions include animal fighting, shooting or poisoning livestock or domestic animals on property where the animal is authorized to be. A first offense of cruelty to animals or of a violation of W.S. 6-3-1003 is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, a fine of not more than $750.00, or both, with enhanced penalties for subsequent convictions. Felony cruelty to animals occurs when a person commits cruelty to animals as defined in W.S. 6-3-1002(a)(v) through (ix), that results in the death or required euthanasia of the animal; or (ii) knowingly, and with intent to cause death or undue suffering, beats with cruelty, tortures, torments or mutilates an animal. Such acts incur permanent forfeiture of the animal at issue and imprisonment for not more than two years and/or a fine of up to $5,000. With either misdemeanor or felony convictions, the court may order forfeiture of the animals involved, payment of reasonable costs of animal impoundment, and restraints on future ownership of animals. A bestiality law was also enacted in 2021 that prohibits actors from engaging in sexual acts with animals. Violation is a misdemeanor with punishment of up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

This compilation of laws contains Wyoming's anti-cruelty provisions that were amended in 2021. Under the new laws, a person commits cruelty to animals if the person knowingly overrides an animal or drives an animal when overloaded; intentionally or knowingly, unnecessarily injures or beats an animal; or knowingly carries an animal in a manner that poses undue risk of injury or death. Additionally, a person has the charge or custody of any animal under circumstances that manifest "extreme indifference" to the animal's safety, health or life, and fails to provide it with listed necessities, abandons the animal, fails to provide the animal with appropriate care in the case of immediate and obvious serious injury or illness also commits cruelty to animals. Other prohibitions include animal fighting, shooting or poisoning livestock or domestic animals on property where the animal is authorized to be. A first offense of cruelty to animals or of a violation of W.S. 6-3-1003 is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, a fine of not more than $750.00, or both, with enhanced penalties for subsequent convictions. Felony cruelty to animals occurs when a person commits cruelty to animals as defined in W.S. 6-3-1002(a)(v) through (ix), that results in the death or required euthanasia of the animal; or (ii) knowingly, and with intent to cause death or undue suffering, beats with cruelty, tortures, torments or mutilates an animal. Such acts incur permanent forfeiture of the animal at issue and imprisonment for not more than two years and/or a fine of up to $5,000. With either misdemeanor or felony convictions, the court may order forfeiture of the animals involved, payment of reasonable costs of animal impoundment, and restraints on future ownership of animals. A bestiality law was also enacted in 2021 that prohibits actors from engaging in sexual acts with animals. Violation is a misdemeanor with punishment of up to one year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

WY - Cruelty, livestock - Chapter 29. Protection of Livestock Animals.

Summary: This chapter concerns cruelty to livestock animals. The laws state that every person who confines or causes to be confined any livestock animal under the laws of this state, must supply to the livestock animal during confinement a sufficient quantity of wholesome food and water. The section also provides that officers and agents of the Wyoming livestock board must be provided with a certificate and badge. Any peace officer, agent or officer of the board may lawfully interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any livestock animal in his or her presence

This chapter concerns cruelty to livestock animals. The laws state that every person who confines or causes to be confined any livestock animal under the laws of this state, must supply to the livestock animal during confinement a sufficient quantity of wholesome food and water. The section also provides that officers and agents of the Wyoming livestock board must be provided with a certificate and badge. Any peace officer, agent or officer of the board may lawfully interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any livestock animal in his or her presence

WV - Cruelty - Consolidated Cruelty Statutes

Summary: These West Virginia statutes comprise the state's anti-cruelty and animal fighting provisions. If any person cruelly mistreats, abandons or withholds proper sustenance, including food, water, shelter or medical treatment, necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end suffering or abandons any animal to die, or uses, trains or possesses any domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor. If any person intentionally tortures or maliciously kills an animal, or causes, procures or authorizes any other person to torture or maliciously kill an animal, he or she is guilty of a felony. The provisions of this section do not apply to lawful acts of hunting, fishing, trapping or animal training or farm livestock, poultry, gaming fowl or wildlife kept in private or licensed game farms if kept and maintained according to usual and accepted standards of livestock, poultry, gaming fowl or wildlife or game farm production and management. The section also prohibits animal fighting, making it a felony if the animal is a dog or other fur-bearing animal ("canine, feline, porcine, bovine, or equine species whether wild or domesticated"), and a misdemeanor if not (i.e., cockfighting).

These West Virginia statutes comprise the state's anti-cruelty and animal fighting provisions. If any person cruelly mistreats, abandons or withholds proper sustenance, including food, water, shelter or medical treatment, necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end suffering or abandons any animal to die, or uses, trains or possesses any domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor. If any person intentionally tortures or maliciously kills an animal, or causes, procures or authorizes any other person to torture or maliciously kill an animal, he or she is guilty of a felony. The provisions of this section do not apply to lawful acts of hunting, fishing, trapping or animal training or farm livestock, poultry, gaming fowl or wildlife kept in private or licensed game farms if kept and maintained according to usual and accepted standards of livestock, poultry, gaming fowl or wildlife or game farm production and management. The section also prohibits animal fighting, making it a felony if the animal is a dog or other fur-bearing animal ("canine, feline, porcine, bovine, or equine species whether wild or domesticated"), and a misdemeanor if not (i.e., cockfighting).

WI - Cruelty - Consolidated Cruelty Statutes

Summary: This section comprises the Wisconsin anti-cruelty section. Under the section, "animal" includes every living warm-blooded creature (except a human being), reptile, or amphibian. The section prohibits "mistreating animals," which is defined as treating any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner. This section does not prohibit bona fide experiments carried on for scientific research or normal and accepted veterinary practices. This section also prohibits the instigation of dogfights, and has a unique provisions that prohibits the shooting of caged or staked animals.

This section comprises the Wisconsin anti-cruelty section. Under the section, "animal" includes every living warm-blooded creature (except a human being), reptile, or amphibian. The section prohibits "mistreating animals," which is defined as treating any animal, whether belonging to the person or another, in a cruel manner. This section does not prohibit bona fide experiments carried on for scientific research or normal and accepted veterinary practices. This section also prohibits the instigation of dogfights, and has a unique provisions that prohibits the shooting of caged or staked animals.