Utah criminal charge
Cruelty to an animal in Utah
Cruelty to an animal is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202. Its classification is not fixed: Utah 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 Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202.
What is the penalty for cruelty to an animal in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Cruelty to an animal - intentional or knowing — Applies when a violation of Subsection (2) is committed intentionally or knowingly.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Cruelty to an animal - intentional or knowing — Applies when a violation of Subsection (2) is committed intentionally or knowingly.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 90 days (Cruelty to an animal - reckless or criminally negligent — Applies when a violation of Subsection (2) is committed recklessly or with criminal negligence.) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $750 (Cruelty to an animal - reckless or criminally negligent — Applies when a violation of Subsection (2) is committed recklessly or with criminal negligence.; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is cruelty to an animal classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruelty to an animal - intentional or knowing | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies when a violation of Subsection (2) is committed intentionally or knowingly. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202(3)(a) |
| Cruelty to an animal - reckless or criminally negligent | Class C Misdemeanor | Applies when a violation of Subsection (2) is committed recklessly or with criminal negligence. | Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202(3)(b) |
Common questions about cruelty to an animal in Utah
Is cruelty to an animal a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: cruelty to an animal ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Class B Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202.
Cruelty to an animal - intentional or knowing: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202(3)(a)) · Cruelty to an animal - reckless or criminally negligent: Class C Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202(3)(b))
What are the penalties for cruelty to an animal in Utah?
Penalties for cruelty to an animal in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class C Misdemeanor up to a Class B Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers cruelty to an animal?
Cruelty to an animal is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202 (Cruelty to an animal).
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.