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Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7 — Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense

Current through 2026 Regular Session

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

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Ind. Code § 35-46-3-7

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 § 35-46-3-7Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
Sec. 7. (a) A person who: (1) has a vertebrate animal in the person's custody; and (2) recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects the animal; commits cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor. (b) However, except for a conviction under section 1 of this chapter, an offense under subsection (a) is a Level 6 felony if the: (1) person has a prior unrelated conviction under this chapter; (2) person commits the offense in the presence of a minor; or (3) abandonment or neglect results in: (A) serious permanent disfigurement; (B) unconsciousness; (C) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or (D) death; of the animal; or (4) person has ten (10) or more vertebrate animals in the person's custody which results in the person: (A) failing to provide adequate food, potable water, and adequate shelter to at least one (1) vertebrate animal; (B) keeping at least one (1) vertebrate animal in an overcrowded environment; or (C) disregarding the conditions under which at least one (1) vertebrate animal is living in and the harmful impact the conditions have on the health and well-being of the vertebrate animals. (c) For purposes of this section, an animal that is feral is not in a person's custody.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

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))

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).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.