Animal Cruelty and Neglect Laws and Penalties

It's against the law in every U.S. state to treat animals cruelly. State laws usually prohibit several different kinds of mistreatment, from torturing or maiming an animal to not providing proper food and shelter. Traditionally, these statutes were fairly general, and the penalties amounted to little more than a slap on the wrist. But in response to repeated news stories about abused dogs—and the accompanying public outcry—lawmakers have been stiffening the penalties and targeting more specific behaviors.

Understanding Animal Cruelty Laws

Although animal cruelty laws vary considerably from state to state, most states have laws against animal torture, abuse, neglect, and abandonment.

Animal Torture or Abuse

Most animal cruelty laws prohibit torture, mutilation, overworking, starving, and killing of animals. Inflicting unnecessary pain or suffering upon an animal can also be considered abuse.

Some states require that the abuse be intentional or malicious, while others increase the penalties when the abuse is reckless or malicious or if committed in the presence of a child. Many states' laws also explicitly outlaw poisoning an animal deliberately or placing poison where someone else's animal is likely to eat it. Leaving an animal in a hot or cold car may also be a separate crime or fall under animal abuse if the pet dies or suffers.

Animal Neglect

Most states also make it illegal to intentionally or recklessly neglect an animal. In many states, neglect simply means not providing necessary food, water, and shelter. Several states go further by requiring that owners also give their animals needed veterinary care, exercise, sanitary conditions, and protection from the weather. State laws differ on whether neglect crimes require proof that the animal suffered pain or injuries as a result.

Tethering and Inadequate Shelter

More and more states have added details on conditions that amount to criminal neglect when dogs are left outside, whether chained up or in fenced yards. For instance, Pennsylvania law says that dogs can't be tethered outdoors for more than 30 minutes in freezing or very hot weather. The tether must be a certain type and length, attached to a certain kind of collar. The dog must be tethered in clean conditions with access to water and shade. (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5536 (2025).) New Jersey also prohibits leaving animals outside in bad weather for more than 30 minutes, and its laws spell out detailed requirements for shelters, including the amount and quality of the space, light, cleanliness, construction, ventilation, and protection from the elements. (N.J. Stat. §§ 4:22-17.3, 4:22-17.5 (2025).)

Animal Abandonment

In most states, it's illegal to abandon an animal, whether by dumping the animal in a public place or leaving it anywhere without providing for its needs. Unless the animal is microchipped, it can be difficult to enforce laws against animal abandonment, as the owners are unlikely to leave a license or other identification on the abandoned pet. Witnesses, though, can report license plate numbers to police if they see them.

What Are the Penalties for Animal Cruelty Violations?

A person convicted of animal cruelty can face imprisonment, fines, impoundment orders, psychological evaluations, and animal possession bans.

Felony and Misdemeanor Violations

Many states make animal cruelty or torture a felony-level offense. These crimes generally require proof of an intentional act and serious harm to the animal. Felony convictions carry the possibility of prison time and thousands of dollars in fines. Some state laws increase the penalties for repeat offenders and animal hoarders. States have also started imposing harsher penalties for acts of animal cruelty involving domestic violence, such as committing the act in the presence of a child or to terrorize an intimate partner.

Animal neglect and abandonment violations are often misdemeanor offenses. Misdemeanors can be punished by jail time, usually up to a year's imprisonment, and fines ranging from the hundreds to low thousands of dollars.

Psychological Evaluations and Counseling

Several states require or allow judges to order psychological evaluations for persons convicted of animal cruelty crimes. Judges often use these evaluations when making sentencing decisions. A judge can also impose counseling requirements as part of a probation sentence or as a requirement to regain custody of the animal. Some states mandate counseling or anger management classes for certain animal abusers.

Animal Possession Bans

Many states permit judges to issue orders prohibiting a convicted defendant from possessing, owning, or residing with a pet or animal for a specified period or indefinitely. Some states limit such possession bans to felony-level convictions.

Animal Seizure and Impoundment Orders

Before and after a conviction, state laws generally allow authorities to seize abused or neglected animals. Owners must pay for the costs of caring for the animal while it's impounded and held at a humane society or shelter. The owner may need to attend a hearing in civil court to regain possession of the animal. But if convicted, the judge may prohibit the release of the animal back to the defendant.

Is It a Crime to Leave Pets in Hot or Cold Cars?

Many state laws specifically forbid leaving a dog or cat unattended in a vehicle under harmful conditions—which usually means that it's too hot or cold inside the car. A handful of states, including California and Florida, have "Good Samaritan" laws that allow bystanders to break into locked cars to rescue animals in distress, but only if it's necessary and only after they've taken steps like contacting law enforcement. (See Cal. Penal Code § 597.7 (2025); Fla. Stat. § 768.139 (2025).)

Even where animal cruelty laws don't explicitly address leaving animals in cars, it could be illegal under a catch-all provision that outlaws cruel treatment or any abuse that leads to unnecessary suffering.

Is Dogfighting a Felony?

Almost all states make it a felony to participate in organized dogfighting. In addition to actually putting a dog in the ring, it's also generally illegal to own or train fighting dogs, possess dogfighting or training equipment, allow a fight on your property, bet on a fight, or even be present where you know that a dogfight is happening. (In many states, however, attendance at fights is only a misdemeanor.) Most states also criminalize involvement in cockfighting. Federal law also punishes participation in animal fighting (see below).

Is Animal Hoarding a Crime?

When people collect far more pets than they can care for properly, the animals usually end up suffering from malnutrition, crowded and unsanitary conditions, or untreated health problems. Although some cities and counties have local ordinances that forbid animal hoarding, states generally don't treat it as a separate crime.

Hoarders may face misdemeanor (or occasionally felony) charges under general animal cruelty or neglect statutes, but they usually continue with their compulsive behavior even after they've had to pay fines. Most mental health experts agree that animal hoarding is a psychological disorder. A few states, like California and Illinois, authorize courts to order mental health evaluations and treatment in appropriate cases. (See Cal. Penal Code § 600.8 (2025); 510 Ill. Comp. Stat. 70/3 (2025).)

Federal Laws on Animal Cruelty and Animal Fighting

Federal law also criminalizes certain acts of animal cruelty and animal fighting ventures. To fall under federal jurisdiction, the prohibited acts must have some type of federal connection, such as occurring on federal property, involving the transport of animals across state lines, or using the internet or mail in the crime (say by promoting a dogfight). Below are the two main federal animal cruelty crimes.

Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Torture Act

The Prevention of Animal Cruelty and Torture Act makes it a crime to purposely crush, burn, drown, suffocate, impale, or otherwise cause serious bodily injury to an animal. Creating or distributing any videos, recordings, or images of such behavior is also a crime. A convicted defendant faces up to seven years in federal prison, plus fines. (18 U.S.C. § 48 (2025).)

Laws Prohibiting Animal Fighting Ventures

Federal law also prohibits involvement in animal fighting ventures, whether that's by sponsoring a fight, allowing an animal to participate in a fight, or training, possessing, buying or selling an animal for fighting. These crimes carry up to five years of possible federal prison time plus fines for each violation.

A spectator who attends an animal fight faces up to a year of federal prison time, but this increases to three years if they allow a child younger than 16 to attend.

(7 U.S.C. § 2156; 18 U.S.C. § 49 (2025).)

Exception and Defenses to Animal Cruelty Charges

Many animal cruelty laws excuse anyone who injures or kills a dog that was attacking a person or another animal. In fact, dog owners are usually financially liable when their dogs injure livestock.

Animal cruelty laws also typically include exceptions for legal activities such as:

• scientific research (although the statutes often require that the research or experimentation follow certain standards, be approved by state or federal agencies, or be under the auspices of legitimate scientific or educational institutions)
• hunting and fishing, and
• animal husbandry.

Common defenses to animal cruelty charges include that the act was not intentional or reckless or that the defendant acted in self-defense in light of the animal's behavior. In neglect and abandonment cases, a person might argue that they did not have the financial means to provide adequate care for the animal.

What to Do If You See or Suspect Animal Cruelty

If you see or suspect that someone is mistreating animals, contact the local humane society. In many states, humane society agents have the authority to investigate complaints and even seize animals that are being abused. If not, staffers can usually tell you if local law enforcement is likely to act on the problem. Even if the owner's behavior isn't illegal, the humane society may be able to do something to help. You can also file complaints with the city police or the county sheriff.

Getting Legal Help

If you're the one being accused of animal cruelty, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An attorney experienced in this area should be able to explain how state and local laws apply to your situation, how you might recover your pet if authorities have already taken it, and any defenses you might have to criminal charges.