Utah legal term
Animal in Utah Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Utah legislative session
In Utah criminal law, “Animal” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Utah criminal code.
What does “Animal” mean in Utah criminal law?
"Animal" means, except as provided in Subsection (1)(a)(ii)(B), a live, nonhuman vertebrate creature. (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-202)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Allowing a vicious animal to go at large
- Category II restricted person participating in prohibited dangerous weapon conduct
- Offenses committed against animal enterprises
- Stalking
- Wanton destruction of livestock
- Accident reports
- Attending an organized animal fighting exhibition
- Befouling waters
- Child abuse
- Dog fighting
- Endangering, injuring, or killing a public safety animal
- Failure of an animal care facility to maintain required standards
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.