Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5 — Cruelty to a service animal

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 3: Offenses Relating to Animals, Indiana Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Cruelty to a service animal

Full text of Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session

Sec. 11.5. (a) As used in this section, "service animal" means an animal that a person who is impaired by: (1) blindness or any other visual impairment; (2) deafness or any other aural impairment; (3) a physical disability; or (4) a medical condition; relies on for navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person's medical condition. (b) A person who knowingly or intentionally: (1) interferes with the actions of a service animal; or (2) strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal; while the service animal is engaged in assisting an impaired person described in subsection (a) commits a Class A misdemeanor. (c) An offense under subsection (b)(2) is a Level 6 felony if the act results in the: (1) serious permanent disfigurement; (2) unconsciousness; (3) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or (4) death; of the service animal. (d) It is a defense that the accused person: (1) engaged in a reasonable act of training, handling, or disciplining the service animal; or (2) reasonably believed the conduct was necessary to prevent injury to the accused person or another person.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is cruelty to a service animal a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: cruelty to a service animal ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5.

Cruelty to a service animal - base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5(b)) · Cruelty to a service animal - serious injury or death: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5(c))

Which Indiana statute covers cruelty to a service animal?

Cruelty to a service animal is governed by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5 (Cruelty to a service animal).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.