Kentucky
Anti-Cruelty StatutesKENTUCKY
REVISED STATUTES
TITLE L KENTUCKY PENAL CODE
CHAPTER 525 RIOT, DISORDERLY
CONDUCT, AND RELATED OFFENSES
§525.125.
Cruelty to animals in the first degree (1)
The following persons are guilty of cruelty to animals in the first degree whenever
a four-legged animal is caused to fight for pleasure or profit: - (a)
The owner of the animal;
- (b)
The owner of the property on which the fight is conducted if the owner knows of
the fight;
- (c)
Anyone who participates in the organization of the fight.
(2)
Activities of animals engaged in hunting, field trials, dog training, and other
activities authorized either by a hunting license or by the Department of Fish
and Wildlife shall not constitute a violation of this section. (3)
Cruelty to animals in the first degree is a Class D felony. §
525.130. Cruelty to animals in the second degree -- Exemptions (1)
A person is guilty of cruelty to animals in the second degree when except as authorized
by law he intentionally or wantonly: - (a)
Subjects any animal to or causes cruel or injurious mistreatment through abandonment,
participates other than as provided in KRS 525.125 in causing it to fight for
pleasure or profit (including, but not limited to being a spectator or vendor
at an event where a four (4) legged animal is caused to fight for pleasure or
profit) mutilation, beating, torturing any animal other than a dog or cat, tormenting,
failing to provide adequate food, drink, space, or health care, or by any other
means;
- (b)
Subjects any animal in his custody to cruel neglect; or
- (c)
Kills any animal other than a domestic animal killed by poisoning. This paragraph
shall not apply to intentional poisoning of a dog or cat. Intentional poisoning
of a dog or cat shall constitute a violation of this section.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall apply to the killing of animals: - (a)
Pursuant to a license to hunt, fish, or trap;
- (b)
Incident to the processing as food or for other commercial purposes;
- (c)
For humane purposes;
- (d)
For veterinary, agricultural, spaying or neutering, or cosmetic purposes;
- (e)
For purposes relating to sporting activities, including but not limited to horse
racing at organized races and training for organized races, organized horse shows,
or other animal shows;
- (f)
For bona fide animal research activities of institutions of higher education;
or a business entity registered with the United States Department of Agriculture
under the Animal Welfare Act or subject to other federal laws governing animal
research;
- (g)
In defense of self or another person against an aggressive or diseased animal;
- (h)
In defense of a domestic animal against an aggressive or diseased animal;
- (i)
For animal or pest control; or
- (j)
For any other purpose authorized by law.
(3)
Activities of animals engaged in hunting, field trials, dog training other than
training a dog to fight for pleasure or profit, and other activities authorized
either by a hunting license or by the Department of Fish and Wildlife shall not
constitute a violation of this section.
(4)
Cruelty to animals in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
§
525.135. Torture of dog or cat
(1) As used in this section, unless
the context otherwise requires, "torture" means the intentional infliction
of or subjection to extreme physical pain or injury, motivated by an intent to
increase or prolong the pain of the animal.
(2)
A person is guilty of torture of a dog or cat when he or she without legal justification
intentionally tortures a domestic dog or cat. (3)
Torture of a dog or cat is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense, and a
Class D felony for the second and subsequent offenses. (4)
Nothing in this section shall apply to the killing or injuring of a dog or cat:
- (a) In accordance
with a license to hunt, fish, or trap;
- (b)
For humane purposes;
- (c)
For veterinary, agricultural, spaying or neutering, or cosmetic purposes;
- (d)
For purposes relating to sporting activities including but not limited to training
for organized dog or cat shows, or other animal shows in which a dog or a cat,
or both, participate;
- (e)
For bona fide animal research activities, using dogs or cats, of institutions
of higher education; or a business entity registered with the United States Department
of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act or subject to other federal laws governing
animal research;
- (f)
In defense of self or another person against an aggressive or diseased dog or
cat;
- (g)
In defense of a domestic animal against an aggressive or diseased dog or cat;
- (h)
For animal or pest control; or
- (i)
For any other purpose authorized by law.
(5)
Activities of animals engaged in hunting, field trials, dog training other than
training a dog to fight for pleasure or profit, and other activities authorized
either by a hunting license or by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
shall not constitute a violation of this section. (6)
The acts specified in this section shall not constitute cruelty to animals under
KRS 525.125 or 525.130.
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