Indiana criminal charge
Cruelty to a service animal in Indiana
Cruelty to a service animal is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana 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 Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5.
What is the penalty for cruelty to a service animal in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Cruelty to a service animal - base offense — A person knowingly or intentionally interferes with, strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal while it is engaged in assisting an impaired person.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Cruelty to a service animal - base offense — A person knowingly or intentionally interferes with, strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal while it is engaged in assisting an impaired person.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Cruelty to a service animal - serious injury or death — The offense under subsection (b)(2) (striking, tormenting, injuring, or mistreating) results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, or death of the service animal.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Cruelty to a service animal - serious injury or death — The offense under subsection (b)(2) (striking, tormenting, injuring, or mistreating) results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, or death of the service animal.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
Applies to current.
How is cruelty to a service animal classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruelty to a service animal - base offense | Class A Misdemeanor | A person knowingly or intentionally interferes with, strikes, torments, injures, or otherwise mistreats a service animal while it is engaged in assisting an impaired person. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5(b) |
| Cruelty to a service animal - serious injury or death | Level 6 Felony | The offense under subsection (b)(2) (striking, tormenting, injuring, or mistreating) results in serious permanent disfigurement, unconsciousness, permanent or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function, or death of the service animal. | Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5(c) |
Common questions about cruelty to a service animal in Indiana
Is cruelty to a service animal a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: cruelty to a service animal ranges from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5.
Cruelty to a service animal - base offense: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5(b)) · Cruelty to a service animal - serious injury or death: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5(c))
What are the penalties for cruelty to a service animal in Indiana?
Which Indiana statute covers cruelty to a service animal?
Cruelty to a service animal is governed by Ind. Code § 35-46-3-11.5 (Cruelty to a service 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.