Iowa criminal charge
Animal facilities in Iowa
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
Animal facilities is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 717A.2. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa 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 Iowa Code § 717A.2.
What is the penalty for animal facilities in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 10 years (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (>$10,000) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds ten thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,370 to $13,660 (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (>$10,000) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds ten thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($1,000–$10,000) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds one thousand dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($1,000–$10,000) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds one thousand dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($100–$1,000) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds one hundred dollars but does not exceed one thousand dollars.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($100–$1,000) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds one hundred dollars but does not exceed one thousand dollars.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($50–$100) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds fifty dollars but does not exceed one hundred dollars.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($50–$100) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds fifty dollars but does not exceed one hundred dollars.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 30 days (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (≤$50) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property does not exceed fifty dollars.; may be ordered in lieu of or in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(a))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $105 to $855 (Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (≤$50) — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property does not exceed fifty dollars.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); jail may be ordered in lieu of the fine; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Exercising control over animal facility, property, or animal with intent to deprive — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'b', involving exercising control over an animal facility, its property, or an animal with intent to deprive the facility of it.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Exercising control over animal facility, property, or animal with intent to deprive — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'b', involving exercising control over an animal facility, its property, or an animal with intent to deprive the facility of it.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 2 years (Unauthorized entry into or remaining at animal facility with intent to disrupt or harm — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'c', involving entering or remaining at an animal facility without consent and with intent to disrupt operations or harm an animal.; a sentence of more than one year is an indeterminate term (§903.1(2))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $855 to $8,540 (Unauthorized entry into or remaining at animal facility with intent to disrupt or harm — Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'c', involving entering or remaining at an animal facility without consent and with intent to disrupt operations or harm an animal.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is animal facilities classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (>$10,000) | Class “C” Felony | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds ten thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a) |
| Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($1,000–$10,000) | Class “D” Felony | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds one thousand dollars but does not exceed ten thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a) |
| Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($100–$1,000) | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds one hundred dollars but does not exceed one thousand dollars. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a) |
| Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($50–$100) | Serious Misdemeanor | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property exceeds fifty dollars but does not exceed one hundred dollars. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a) |
| Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (≤$50) | Simple Misdemeanor | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'a' where the injury to or death of an animal or damage to property does not exceed fifty dollars. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a) |
| Exercising control over animal facility, property, or animal with intent to deprive | Class “D” Felony | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'b', involving exercising control over an animal facility, its property, or an animal with intent to deprive the facility of it. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(b) |
| Unauthorized entry into or remaining at animal facility with intent to disrupt or harm | Aggravated Misdemeanor | Violation of subsection 1 paragraph 'c', involving entering or remaining at an animal facility without consent and with intent to disrupt operations or harm an animal. | Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(c) |
Common questions about animal facilities in Iowa
Is animal facilities a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: animal facilities ranges from a Simple Misdemeanor to a Class “C” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 717A.2.
Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (>$10,000): Class “C” Felony (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a)) · Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($1,000–$10,000): Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a)) · Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($100–$1,000): Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a)) · Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals ($50–$100): Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a)) · Willful destruction/injury to animal facility property or animals (≤$50): Simple Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(a)) · Exercising control over animal facility, property, or animal with intent to deprive: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(b)) · Unauthorized entry into or remaining at animal facility with intent to disrupt or harm: Aggravated Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 717A.2(3)(c))
What are the penalties for animal facilities in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers animal facilities?
Animal facilities is governed by Iowa Code § 717A.2 (Animal facilities — civil action — criminal penalties).
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.