Indiana
Anti-Cruelty StatutesINDIANA
CODE
TITLE 35. CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
ARTICLE 46. MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES
CHAPTER 3. OFFENSES RELATING TO ANIMALS
§
35-46-3-12. Cruelty to an animal -- Intentionally beating an animal (a)
This section does not apply to a person who euthanizes an injured, a sick, a homeless,
or an unwanted domestic animal if: - (1) the person is employed by
a humane society, an animal control agency, or a governmental entity operating
an animal shelter or other animal impounding facility; and
- (2)
the person euthanizes the domestic animal in accordance with guidelines adopted
by the humane society, animal control agency, or governmental entity operating
the animal shelter or other animal impounding facility.
(b) A person
who knowingly or intentionally beats a vertebrate animal commits cruelty to an
animal, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class D felony if : - (1)
the person has a previous, unrelated conviction under this section; or
- (2)
the person knowingly or intentionally tortures or mutilates a vertebrate animal.
(c) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the
accused person: - (1) reasonably believes the conduct was necessary
to:
- - - - - - (A) prevent injury to the accused person or another
person; - - - - - - (B) protect the property of the accused person from
destruction or substantial damage; or - - - - - - (C) prevent a seriously
injured vertebrate animal from prolonged suffering; or - (2) engaged
in a reasonable and recognized act of training, handling, or disciplining the
vertebrate animal.
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