Indiana criminal charge
Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense in Indiana
Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7.
What is the penalty for abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals - base offense — A person having custody of a vertebrate animal recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects it.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals - base offense — A person having custody of a vertebrate animal recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects it.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Abandonment or neglect - elevated by prior conviction, minor's presence, injury/death, or multiple animal neglect — The offense under subsection (a) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this chapter, commits the offense in the presence of a minor, the abandonment or neglect results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, or death of the animal, or the person has ten or more vertebrate animals in custody resulting in failure to provide adequate food/water/shelter, overcrowding, or disregard of harmful living conditions for at least one animal.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Abandonment or neglect - elevated by prior conviction, minor's presence, injury/death, or multiple animal neglect — The offense under subsection (a) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this chapter, commits the offense in the presence of a minor, the abandonment or neglect results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, or death of the animal, or the person has ten or more vertebrate animals in custody resulting in failure to provide adequate food/water/shelter, overcrowding, or disregard of harmful living conditions for at least one animal.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals - base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A person having custody of a vertebrate animal recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects it. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7(a) |
| Abandonment or neglect - elevated by prior conviction, minor's presence, injury/death, or multiple animal neglect | Level 6 Felony | The offense under subsection (a) is elevated when the person has a prior unrelated conviction under this chapter, commits the offense in the presence of a minor, the abandonment or neglect results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, or death of the animal, or the person has ten or more vertebrate animals in custody resulting in failure to provide adequate food/water/shelter, overcrowding, or disregard of harmful living conditions for at least one animal. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7(b) |
Common questions about abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense in Indiana
Is abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7.
Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals - base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7(a)) · Abandonment or neglect - elevated by prior conviction, minor's presence, injury/death, or multiple animal neglect: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7(b))
What are the penalties for abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense?
Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense is governed by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7 (Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.