Indiana criminal charge
Cruelty to a search and rescue dog in Indiana
Cruelty to a search and rescue dog is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3. 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 § 35-46-3-11.3.
What is the penalty for cruelty to a search and rescue dog in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Interference with or mistreatment of a search and rescue dog — A person knowingly or intentionally interferes with a search and rescue dog performing a search and rescue task, or strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a search and rescue dog.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Interference with or mistreatment of a search and rescue dog — A person knowingly or intentionally interferes with a search and rescue dog performing a search and rescue task, or strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a search and rescue dog.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Cruelty to a search and rescue dog resulting in serious harm or death — The act of striking, tormenting, injuring, or otherwise mistreating a search and rescue dog under (b)(2) results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ, or death of the dog.; 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 (Cruelty to a search and rescue dog resulting in serious harm or death — The act of striking, tormenting, injuring, or otherwise mistreating a search and rescue dog under (b)(2) results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ, or death of the dog.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is cruelty to a search and rescue dog classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interference with or mistreatment of a search and rescue dog | Class A Misdemeanor | A person knowingly or intentionally interferes with a search and rescue dog performing a search and rescue task, or strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a search and rescue dog. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3(b) |
| Cruelty to a search and rescue dog resulting in serious harm or death | Level 6 Felony | The act of striking, tormenting, injuring, or otherwise mistreating a search and rescue dog under (b)(2) results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily member or organ, or death of the dog. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3(c) |
Common questions about cruelty to a search and rescue dog in Indiana
Is cruelty to a search and rescue dog a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: cruelty to a search and rescue dog ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3.
Interference with or mistreatment of a search and rescue dog: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3(b)) · Cruelty to a search and rescue dog resulting in serious harm or death: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3(c))
What are the penalties for cruelty to a search and rescue dog in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers cruelty to a search and rescue dog?
Cruelty to a search and rescue dog is governed by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.3 (Cruelty to a search and rescue dog).
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.