Iowa legal term
Animal mistreatment in Iowa Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Iowa legislative session
In Iowa criminal law, “Animal mistreatment” 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 Iowa criminal code.
What does “Animal mistreatment” mean in Iowa criminal law?
“Animal mistreatment” means an act described as animal abuse as provided in section 717B.2, animal neglect as provided in section 717B.3, animal torture as provided in section 717B.3A, abandonment of a cat or dog as provided in section 717B.8, or injury to or interference with a police service dog as provided in section 717B.9. 4. (Iowa Code § 717B.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.