CT Animal Cruelty Laws: (53-247)

[CTReptileRescue]

State of Connecticut
Chapter 945
Offenses Against Humanity and Morality Cruelty to Animals
Cruelty to Animals

53-247. Cruelty to animals.


(a) Any person who overdrives, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, deprives of necessary sustenance, mutilates or cruelly beats or kills or unjustifiably injures any animals, or who having impounded or confined any animals, fails to give such animal proper care or neglects to cage or restrain any such animal from doing injury to itself or to another animals or fails to supply any such animal with wholesome air, food and water, or unjustifiably administers any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal or unjustifiably exposes any such drug or substance, with intent that the same shall be taken by an animal, or causes it to be done, or having charge or custody of any animal, inflicts cruelty upon it or fails to provide it with proper food, drink or protection from the weather or abandons it or carries it or causes it to be carried in a cruel manner or fights with or baits, harasses or worries any animal for the purpose of making it perform for amusement, diversion or exhibition, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.

(b) Any person who maliciously and intentionally maims, mutilates, tortures, wounds or kills an animal shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any licensed veterinarian while following accepted standards of practice of the profession or to any person while following approved methods of slaughter under section 22-272a, while performing medical research as an employee of, student in or person associated with any hospital, educational institution or laboratory, while following generally accepted agricultural practices or while lawfully engaged in the taking of wildlife.

(c) Any person who knowingly (1) owns, possesses, keeps or trains an animal engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain, (2) possesses, keeps or trains an animal with the intent that it be engaged in an exhibition of fighting for amusement or gain, (3) permits an act described in subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection to take place on premises under his control, (4) acts as judge or spectator at an exhibition of animal fighting for amusement or gain, or (5) bets or wagers on the outcome of an exhibition of animal fighting for amusement or gain, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than give years or both.

(d) Any person who intentionally kills and animal while such animal is in the performance of its duties under the supervision of a peace officer, as defined in section 53x-3, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years or both.


I just wanted to post these. I am very proud to say that now with just those two little words "any animal" We are now able to better prosecute people who commit animal cruelty acts against reptiles and amphibians in the state of CT.
Rusty

[Smulkin]

Cool deal - go CT. If you've noticed deplorable conditions in your local stores etc and it has inspired you enough to post a rant of disgust please take a few minutes and try to find out what the letter of your local law is. Did you find that online Rusty?

[Ironhead]

Now if we could just get all the States to add those words.

Way to go CT.

[Smynx]

Surprisingly, West Virginia's animal cruelty laws even specify reptiles: http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/westvirginia.htm

Our fines aren't as steep as CT's, but offenders can be ordered to do public service.

[Schlyne]

I believe these are the IL statues: http://www.illinoishorse.com/articles/statute.html

[Marla]

Congratulations, Rusty!

[sophie42204]

I am happy to report that our state's (FL) laws are very similar in wording as CT's and does indeed say 'any animal'. Good to know. I'd never thought to check before, thanks for the prompt Rusty!

EDIT: Thought I'd post 'em:

The 2004 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI
CRIMES Chapter 828
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION View Entire Chapter

828.12 Cruelty to animals.--

(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(a) A person convicted of a violation of this subsection, where the finder of fact determines that the violation includes the knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injures, mutilates, or kills the animal, shall be ordered to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program.

(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be required to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $5,000 and serve a minimum mandatory period of incarceration of 6 months. In addition, the person shall be released only upon expiration of sentence, shall not be eligible for parole, control release, or any form of early release, and must serve 100 percent of the court-imposed sentence. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection.

I didn't copy all of them though. If anyone else from FL is interested, you can read them here.

[led4urhead]

Way to go Rusty! I'll have to look into MD laws tonite when i get home.

[Marla]

Everyone, you can look up your state's law here http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/index.html

[led4urhead]

Everyone, you can look up your state's law here http://www.animal-law.org/statutes/index.html

Thanks Marla! Its something everyone should take a look at, especially with all the threads we get about the poor treatment of snakes.