Utah criminal charge
Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal in Utah
Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal is a criminal offense under Utah law, defined by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211. Its classification is not fixed: Utah 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 Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211.
What is the penalty for injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal in Utah?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | Causing substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal / failure to control resulting in same — Applies when the actor causes substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal, or fails to control an animal resulting in substantial bodily injury, death, or subsequent inability to function as a service animal, under Subsections (2)(a), (2)(b)(i), or (2)(b)(ii).; up to 364 days — except up to one year for class A misdemeanors under Title 76, Chapter 5 (Offenses Against the Individual), other than Sections 76-5-102.9, 76-5-107.5, 76-5-113, and 76-5-303, which remain at 364 days (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204(1)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Causing substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal / failure to control resulting in same — Applies when the actor causes substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal, or fails to control an animal resulting in substantial bodily injury, death, or subsequent inability to function as a service animal, under Subsections (2)(a), (2)(b)(i), or (2)(b)(ii).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Failure to control animal causing temporary interference, or chasing/harassing a service animal — Applies when the actor fails to control an animal that chases or harasses a service animal causing temporary interference under (2)(b)(iii), or when the actor personally chases or harasses a service animal under (2)(c).) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Failure to control animal causing temporary interference, or chasing/harassing a service animal — Applies when the actor fails to control an animal that chases or harasses a service animal causing temporary interference under (2)(b)(iii), or when the actor personally chases or harasses a service animal under (2)(c).; greater amounts may be specifically authorized by statute (Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-301)) | discretionary | Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204 |
Applies to current (2026 General Session).
How is injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal classified in Utah?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causing substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal / failure to control resulting in same | Class A Misdemeanor | Applies when the actor causes substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal, or fails to control an animal resulting in substantial bodily injury, death, or subsequent inability to function as a service animal, under Subsections (2)(a), (2)(b)(i), or (2)(b)(ii). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211(3)(a) |
| Failure to control animal causing temporary interference, or chasing/harassing a service animal | Class B Misdemeanor | Applies when the actor fails to control an animal that chases or harasses a service animal causing temporary interference under (2)(b)(iii), or when the actor personally chases or harasses a service animal under (2)(c). | Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211(3)(b) |
Common questions about injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal in Utah
Is injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?
It depends on the circumstances: injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211.
Causing substantial bodily injury or death to a service animal / failure to control resulting in same: Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211(3)(a)) · Failure to control animal causing temporary interference, or chasing/harassing a service animal: Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211(3)(b))
What are the penalties for injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal in Utah?
Penalties for injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal in Utah depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Misdemeanor up to a Class A Misdemeanor — with the ranges set by Utah Code Ann. § 76-3-204; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Utah statute covers injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal?
Injuring, harassing, or endangering a service animal is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-13-211 (Injuring, harassing, or endangering 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.