Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104 — Enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 1: General Provisions, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104

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

Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1)(a) As used in this section, "conviction" means a conviction by plea or by verdict, including a plea of guilty or no contest that is held in abeyance under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance, regardless of whether the charge was, or is, subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-13-101 apply to this section. (2) Except as provided in Subsection (4), an actor who commits a violation of Section 76-13-202, 76-13-203, 76-13-206, or 76-13-208 within the state and on at least one previous occasion has been convicted of violating Section 76-13-202, 76-13-203, 76-13-206, or 76-13-208 shall be subject to an enhanced penalty as provided in Subsection (3). (3) The enhanced degree of offense for offenses committed under this section are: (3)(a) if the offense is a class C misdemeanor, it is a class B misdemeanor; and (3)(b) if the offense is a class B misdemeanor, it is a class A misdemeanor. (4) The penalty enhancements described in this section do not apply to a conviction for the offense described in Section 76-13-204, Torturing a companion animal.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104.

Enhanced from class C to class B misdemeanor: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104(3)(a)) · Enhanced from class B to class A misdemeanor: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104(3)(b))

Which Utah statute covers enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses?

Enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-104 (Enhanced penalties for cruelty to animal offenses).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.