Some of the high points you should remember:

1. The court can take your animal(s) from you.

2. The court can order a you to have a mental evaluation and/or treatment.

3. You may get up to one (1) year in jail and/or a $1,000.00 fine.
4. The court may order you to pay restitution to house and/or treat your animal.

5. A member of a society incorporated to prevent cruelty to animals has the power to arrest you in certain situations!

STATUTE

5-62-101. Cruelty to animals.

(a) A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals if, except as authorized by law, he or she knowingly:

(1) Abandons any animal;

(2) Subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment;

(3) Subjects any animal in his or her custody to cruel neglect; or

(4) Kills or injures any animal belonging to another without legal privilege or consent of the owner.

(b) Cruelty to animals is a Class A misdemeanor.

(c)(1) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, the court may order any person found guilty of cruelty to animals to receive a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, and if determined appropriate, psychiatric or psychological counseling or treatment.

(2) The cost of any evaluation, counseling, or treatment may be ordered paid by the defendant up to the jurisdictional limit of the court.

(d) If a person pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of cruelty to animals, the court may assign custody of the abused animal to a society which is incorporated for the prevention of cruelty to animals.