Arizona legal term
Animal in Arizona Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Arizona legislative session
In Arizona 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 Arizona criminal code.
What does “Animal” mean in Arizona criminal law?
"Animal" means a nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian, either dead or alive. 2. (A.R.S. § 13-1411)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Assault
- Animal fighting
- Cruel and inhumane confinement of a pig during pregnancy or of a calf raised for veal
- Defacing or damaging petroglyphs, pictographs, caves or caverns
- Impersonating a peace officer
- Ownership, possession, purchase, sale, transfer or manufacture of animal fighting paraphernalia
- Presence of minor at animal fight or cockfight
- Unlawful animal ownership or possession
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.