Please note that these laws were last updated in 2003

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State Cruelty Laws Alabama-Montana

State Cruelty Laws Nebraska-Wyoming

 

Alabama:
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/CodeofAlabama/1975/13A-11-14.htm
ALA. CODE Section 13A-11-14 (1977)

The act of cruelty to animals, particularly domesticated dogs and cats, is defined as: "Overloads, overdrives, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, injures, mutilates or causes the same to be done; intentionally tortures any dog or cat or skins a domestic dog or cat or offers for sale or exchange or offers to buy to exchange the fur, hide, or pelt of a domestic dog or cat."  Cruelty to a dog or cat is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.  Intentionally torturing a dog or cat is a Class C Felony punishable with a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to 10 years.  Person convicted could also be made to pay for the cost of care of the animal.  Exceptions are made for research, protection of life or property, training, or shooting a dog or cat for urinating or defecating on property.  Animals can also be seized by animal control officers.
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Alaska:
http://old-www.legis.state.ak.us/cgi-bin/folioisa.dll/stattx01/query=*/doc/{@3919 (Scroll down to the proper statute)
Alaska Statute 11.61.140

Cruelty to animals is defined as "knowingly inflicts severe physical pain or prolonged suffering on an animal; with criminal negligence, fails to care for an animal and, as a result, causes the death of the animal or causes severe physical pain or prolonged suffering to the animal; or kills an animal by the use of a decompression chamber".  It is a Class A Misdemeanor, with sentencing provisions including a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment up to 1 year, community service and restitution. Exceptions are made for farming, activities incidental to lawful hunting and trapping, research governed by accepted standards, conform to professional training and discipline, and accepted veterinary care and methods of husbandry.
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Arizona
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/02910.htm
Arizona Statute 13-2910 et. seq.

Animal cruelty is defined as: "Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly subjects any animal to cruel neglect or abandonment, failing to provide necessary medical attention to prevent protracted suffering, causes unnecessary physical injury, kills any animal without the legal privilege or consent of the owner, leaves an animal unattended and confined in a motor vehicle and injury or death is a likely result."  There are also special provisions for harming service animals, including allowing or having another animal harm or interfere with a service animal.  Intentional, knowingly or recklessly subjecting an animal to cruel treatment is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment for 6 months.  Intentionally subjecting an animal to cruel neglect, mistreatment, or killing or harming a service animal is a Class 6 Felony punishable by a fine of up to $150,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 1.5 years.  Sentences can also include community service, no animal ownership for 3 years, and restitution.  Exceptions are made for hunting, poisoning rodents or dogs killing or wounding livestock.
 

Arkansas
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/NXT/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=blr:code (Use the + to select the correct statute, Arkansas Code, Title 5, Subtitle 6, Chapter 62, Subchapter 1, 5-62-101)
Arkansas Code 5-62-101 et seq.

The crime of cruelty to animals is defined as: "Knowingly abandons any animal, subjects it to cruel mistreatment or cruel neglect, or kills or injures an animal without the owner's consent."  Cruelty to animals is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable with a fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year, cost of care for the animal, and counseling. Exemptions are made for hunting and protection of livestock.
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California
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=00001-01000&file=594-625c
Cal Penal Code 596-597

Cruelty to animals is defined as "Maliciously and intentionally mains, mutilates, tortures, or wounds a living animal, or maliciously and intentionally kills an animal; or overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, drink, or shelter, cruelly beats, mutilates, or cruelly kills any animal or causes or procures any animal to be so treated."  Animals shall be seized and impounded and ownership forfeited.  These crimes may be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony, with punishment of a fine up to $20,000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. If a defendant is granted probation for a conviction, the defendant must pay for and successfully complete counseling as determined by the court.  It is also a misdemeanor to "Carry or causes to be carried in or upon any vehicle or otherwise any domestic animal in a cruel or inhumane manner."  Exemptions are made for farming, hunting and research.
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Colorado
http://198.187.128.12/colorado/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0 (Use the + to go to the correct statute, Colorado Statutes, Title 18, Article 9, Part 2, continue with the Next Doc button to read the entire statute.)
Colorado Revised Statute 18-9-202

Animal cruelty is defined as:  "Knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence overdrives, overloads, overworks, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, unnecessarily or cruelly beats, allows to be housed in a manner that results in chronic or repeated serious physical harm, carries or confines in or upon any vehicles in a cruel or reckless manner, or otherwise mistreats or neglects any animal, or causes or procures it to be done, or, having the charge or custody of any animal, fails to provide it with proper food, drink, or protection from the weather, consistent with the species, breed, and type of animal involved, or abandons an animal" or "recklessly or with criminal negligence tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal."  Conviction of Cruelty to Animals is a Class 1 Misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $400, maximum fine of $5000.  In addition to any other fine, a surcharge of up to $400 shall be paid to the county where the violation occurred to be put into the Animal Cruelty Prevention fund. A subsequent conviction of Cruelty to Animals carries of minimum fine of $1000, maximum fine of $5000 and a minimum of 90 days imprisonment or home detention, maximum imprisonment of 18 months. Anger Management or other psychological treatment as defined by the court is required, cost of care may also be assessed. 

Aggravated Cruelty is: "knowingly tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal."  A conviction of Aggravated Animal Cruelty is a Class 6 Felony with a maximum fine of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 18 months, minimum of 90 days in prison or in-home detention.  Subsequent conviction of Aggravated Animal Cruelty is a Class 5 Felony with a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for up to 3 years.  Exemptions are made for farming, draft or pack animals, rodeos, veterinary care, research, hunting and trapping.
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Connecticut
http://search.cga.state.ct.us/dtsearch_pub_statutes.html (Search for Animal Cruelty to bring up Chapter 945, then choose 53-247)
Conn Statute Section 53-247

Animal Cruelty is defined as:  "Overdrives, overworks, tortures, deprives of necessary sustenance, mutilates or cruelly beats or kills or unjustifiably injures any animal, or who, having impounded or confined any animal, fails to give such animal proper care or neglects to cage or restrain any such animal from doing injury to itself or to another animal or fails to supply any such animal with wholesome air, food and water, or unjustifiably administers any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal or, having charge or custody of any animal, inflicts cruelty upon it or fails to provide it with proper food, drink or protection from the weather or abandons it or carries it or causes it to be carried in a cruel manner, or fights with or baits, harasses or worries any animal for the purpose of making it perform for amusement, diversion or exhibition."  Anyone who intentionally injures or kills a companion animal, other than in self-defense, liable to the animal's owner for economic damages including but not limited to veterinary costs, the animal's fair market value, and burial expenses; punitive damages of no more than $3,500; and a reasonable attorney's fee (veterinarians are exempt).  Cruelty to animals can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or felony with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. Intentionally and maliciously torturing or injuring an animal can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or felony with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years.  Additional sentencing provisions include counseling and participation in animal cruelty prevention and education programs as conditions of probation.  Exemptions are made for farming, hunting, research and veterinary care.
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Delaware
http://198.187.128.12/delaware/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0 (Use the + to go to the correct statute, Delaware Code, Title 11, Chapter 5, Subchapter VII, 1325.)
Delaware Code Ann. 1325 et seq.

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "Intentionally or recklessly subjects an animal to cruel mistreatment, cruel neglect, kills or injures an animal without the owner's consent, cruelly or unnecessarily kills or injures any animal."  Cruelty to animals is a Class A Misdemeanor with a $1000 fine, possible imprisonment for up to 1 year, forfeiture of any and all animals (unless 25% or more income is provided from animals), and no animal ownership for 5 years. Intentional cruelty is a Class F Felony with a $5000 fine, possibly imprisonment up to 3 years, forfeiture of any and all animals (unless 25% or more income is provided from animals), and no animal ownership for 15 years.  Exemptions are made for farming, hunting, protection of life or property, research and veterinary care.
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District of Columbia
http://198.187.128.12/dc/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0 (Use the + to go to the correct statute, District of Columbia Code, Division IV, Title 22, Subtitle 1, Chapter 10)
D.C. Code Ann. 22-1001 et seq.

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "Knowingly overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, cruelly chains, cruelly beats or mutilates, any animal, or knowingly causes or procures any animal to be so treated, and whoever, having the charge or custody of any animal, either as owner or otherwise, knowingly inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon the same, or unnecessarily fails to provide the same with proper food, drink, air, light, space, veterinary care, shelter, or protection from the weather."   Serious bodily injury is defined as: "bodily injury that involves a substantial risk of death, unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, protracted and obvious disfigurement, mutilation, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ."  Cruelty to animals is not classified in the statute, but carries a fine up to $250 and/or imprisonment up to 180 days.  Cruelty to animals resulting in serious bodily injury or death is a Felony with a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. Exemptions are made for research.
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Florida
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0828/SEC12.HTM&Title=->2001->Ch0828->Section%2012
Florida Statute 828.12 et seq.

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "Overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner".  This is a 1^st Degree Misdemeanor with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. 

Intentional Animal Cruelty is defined as: "commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering."  This is a 3^rd Degree Felony with a fine up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years.  Intentional Cruelty with "knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injures, mutilates, or kills the animal" carries a minimum fine of $2500 and completion of a psychological or anger management treatment program.  A second conviction of the same carries a minimum fine of $5,000 and minimum 6 months incarceration, with no parole or early release  available. Exemptions are made for veterinary care.
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Georgia
http://www.ganet.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/pub/ocode/ocgsearch?number=16-12-4
Georgia Code Ann. 16-12-4 et seq.

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "causes death or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to any animal by an act, an omission, or willful neglect. Willful neglect means the intentional withholding of food and water required by an animal to prevent starvation or dehydration."  This is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment for up to 1 year.  A second or subsequent conviction carries of fine of up to $5000 and imprisonment for up to 1 year.  A second or subsequent conviction which resulted in the death of an animal will be a misdemeanor of "a high and aggravated nature" with imprisonment for a minimum 3 months, maximum 12 months and/or a fine up to $10,000. 

Aggravated Cruelty is defined as: "knowingly and maliciously causes death or physical harm to an animal by rendering a part of such animal's body useless or by seriously disfiguring such animal." This carries imprisonment of minimum 1 year, maximum 5 years, and/or a fine up to $15,000.  Exemptions are made for agricultural, animal husbandry, butchering, food processing, marketing, scientific, research, medical, zoological, exhibition, competitive, hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife management, or pest control practices or the authorized practice of veterinary medicine.
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Hawaii
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol14_ch0701-0853/hrs0711/hrs_0711-1109.htm
Hawaii Rev. Stat. 711-1109 et seq.

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: Overdrives, overloads, tortures, torments, cruelly beats or starves any animal, deprives a pet animal of necessary sustenance, mutilates, poisons, or kills without need any animal other than insects, vermin, or other pests, keeps, uses, or in any way is connected with fighting or baiting any bull, bear, dog, cock, or other animal, carries or causes to be carried, in or upon any vehicle or other conveyance, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner; or assists another in the commission of any act of cruelty to any animal."  This is a Misdemeanor punishable with a fine up to $2000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. Exemptions are made for scientific research and veterinary practices.
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Idaho
http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/25035KTOC.html
Idaho Title 25, Chapter 35, 25-3501 et seq

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "The intentional and malicious infliction of pain, physical suffering, injury or death upon an animal;  To maliciously kill, maim, wound, overdrive, overload, drive when overloaded, overwork, torture, torment, deprive of necessary sustenance, drink or shelter, cruelly beat, mutilate or cruelly kill an animal;  To subject an animal to needless suffering, inflict unnecessary cruelty, drive, ride or otherwise use an animal when same is unfit;  To abandon an animal;  To negligently confine an animal in unsanitary conditions or to negligently house an animal in inadequate facilities; to negligently fail to provide sustenance, water or shelter to an animal"  This is a Misdemeanor.  The first conviction of Animal Cruelty is punishable by a fine of $100 to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months.  The second conviction within 10 years of the first is punishable by a fine of $200 to $7000 and/or imprisonment up to 9 months.  The third conviction within 15 years of the first is punishable by a fine of $500 to $9000 and/or imprisonment up to 12 months.  Exemptions are made for normal veterinary practices, humane slaughter, professionally recognized research facilities, humane destruction of an injured or diseased animal beyond recovery, accepted practices of animal identification and husbandry, killing an animal posing a threat to any person or property, killing a vicious animal by animal control officers, veterinarians or law enforcement officers, predatory animals and vermin, exhibitions, competitions, activities, practices or procedures normally or commonly considered acceptable.
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Illinois
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1717&ChapAct=510%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B70%2F&ChapterID=41&ChapterName=ANIMALS&ActName=Humane+Care+for+Animals+Act%2E
Humane Treatment of Animals Act: 510 ILCS 70/3

Illinois has their law broken into 5 sub-sections.

510 ILCS 70/3: Owner's Duties are defined as: "provide for each of his animals: sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water; adequate shelter and protection from the weather; veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering; and humane care and treatment."  Conviction is a Class B Misdemeanor, with a second conviction a Class 4 Felony with each day that the violation continues being a separate offense.  In addition to other penalties provided by law, the person may be required to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment.

510 ILCS 70/3.01: Cruel Treatment is defined as: "No person or owner may beat, cruelly treat, torment, starve, overwork or otherwise abuse any animal. No owner may abandon any animal where it may become a public charge or may suffer injury, hunger or exposure."  Conviction is a Class A Misdemeanor, a subsequent conviction is a Class 4 felony. Violators must go to jail or get probation, and the violation will stay on their record. In addition to other penalties provided by law, the person may be required to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment.

510 ILCS 70/3.02: Aggravated Cruelty is defined as: "intentionally commit an act that causes a companion animal to suffer serious injury or death."  Euthanasia by a method recognized by the Department of Agriculture is exempted. Conviction is a Class 4 Felony, a subsequent conviction is a Class 3 felony. In addition to other penalties provided by law, the person may be required to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment.

510 ILCS 70/3.03: Animal Torture is defined as: "infliction of or subjection to extreme physical pain, motivated by an intent to increase or prolong the pain, suffering, or agony of the animal." Exemptions are made for hunting, fishing, trapping, any alteration or destruction of any animal done by any person or unit of government pursuant to statute, ordinance, court order, or the direction of a licensed veterinarian,  alteration for a legitimate purpose, including but not limited to: castration, culling, declawing, defanging, ear cropping, euthanasia, gelding, grooming, neutering, polling, shearing, shoeing, slaughtering, spaying, tail docking, and vivisection.  Conviction is a Class 3 Felony. In addition to other penalties provided by law, the person will be required to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment.

510 ILCS 70/3.03-1: Depiction of Animal Cruelty is defined as: "any visual or auditory depiction, including any photograph, motion-picture film, video recording, electronic image, or sound recording" of Animal Cruelty as defined in these statutes. No person may knowingly create, sell, market, offer to market or sell, or possess a depiction of animal cruelty. Exceptions are made when the depiction has religious, political, scientific, educational, law enforcement or humane investigator training, journalistic, artistic, or historical value; or involves rodeos, sanctioned livestock events, or normal husbandry practices.  Conviction is a Class A Misdemeanor, a subsequent conviction is a Class 4 Felony. Violators must go to jail or get probation, and the violation will stay on their record.  In addition to other penalties provided by law, the person may be required to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment.

In all of the above (except Animal Torture where it is automatically required), if the offender is a juvenile or "animal hoarder" they court must order psychological or psychiatric evaluation and treatment.

The possible penalties are as follows:

Classification of Crime	Usual Prison or Jail Time	Mandatory Probation Period	Maximum Fine
Class A Misdemeanor	Under 1 year	--	Up to $2500
Class B Misdemeanor	Up to 6 months	--	Up to $1500
Class C Misdemeanor	Up to 30 days	--	Up to $1500
Class 3 Felony	2-5 years	1 year	Up to $25,000
Class 4 Felony	1-3 years	1 year	Up to $25,000

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Indiana
http://www.ai.org/legislative/ic/code/title35/ar46/ch3.html#IC35-46-3-3 (Scroll down for the Cruelty statute)
Ind. Code 35-46-3-13

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "Intentionally beating a vertebrate animal."  This, along with removal of a dog's vocal cords, are considered Animal Cruelty and are Class A Misdemeanors with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  A second conviction of Animal Cruelty or intentional torture and mutilation of a vertebrate animal is a Class C Felony with a fine up to $10,000 and/or an addition 1 1/2 years imprisonment.  Exemptions are made for fishing, hunting, trapping, veterinary practice, farm management, humane slaughter, research, training or discipline of a vertebrate animal, protection of person or property, and prolonged suffering of the animal.
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Iowa
http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IACODE/2003/717B
Iowa Code 717B.1 et seq.

Animal abuse is defined as: "intentionally injures, maims, disfigures, or destroys an animal owned by another person, in any manner, including intentionally poisoning the animal" This is an Aggravated Misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years. 

Animal Neglect is defined as: "fails to supply the animal during confinement with a sufficient quantity of food or water; fails to provide a confined dog or cat with adequate shelter; or tortures, deprives of necessary sustenance, mutilates, beats, or kills an animal by any means which causes unjustified pain, distress, or suffering."  Negligent animal neglect is a Simple Misdemeanor which carries a fine of $50 to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 30 days.  Intentional Neglect is a Serious Midemeanor with a fine of $250 to $1500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. 

Animal Torture is defined as: "regardless of whether the person is the owner of the animal, if the person inflicts upon the animal severe physical pain with a depraved or sadistic intent to cause prolonged suffering or death."  This is an Aggravated Misdemeanor with a fine of $500 to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years and psychological treatment.  A second conviction of Animal Torture is a Class D Felony with a fine of $500 to $7500 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years and psychological treatment.  Exemptions are made for owner's consent (except torture), carrying out an order of the court, veterinary practice, hunting, trapping, fishing, protecting person or property, destroying a diseased or injured animal to a degree that would cause severe or prolonged suffering.
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Kansas
http://www.kslegislature.org/cgi-bin/statutes/index.cgi (Under Statute Table of Contents, choose Chapter 21 (Get Articles in Statute), Article 43 (List Statutes in Article), 23-4310)
Kan Stat. Ann. 21-4310 et seq.

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "Intentionally killing, injuring, maiming, torturing or mutilating any animal; abandoning or leaving any animal in any place without making provisions for its proper care; having physical custody of any animal and failing to provide such food, potable water, protection from the elements, opportunity for exercise and other care as is needed for the health or well-being of such kind of animal; or  intentionally using a wire, pole, stick, rope or any other object to cause an equine to lose its balance or fall, for the purpose of sport or entertainment."  This is a Class A Nonperson Misdemeanor with a fine up to $2500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  Exemptions are made for veterinary practice, bona fide research, hunting, fishing, trapping, rodeo, diseased or disabled animal beyond recovery by proper authority or vet, protection of person or property, use of a tranquilizer gun on a vicious animal, laying an equine down for medical or ID purposes.
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Kentucky
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/KRS/525-00/130.PDF
KY REV. Stat. Ann 525.130

http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/KRS/525-00/135.PDF
KY REV. Stat. Ann 525.135

Cruelty to animals (in the Second Degree) is defined as: "intentionally or wantonly subjects any animal to or causes cruel or injurious mistreatment through abandonment, participates other than as provided in KRS 525.125 in causing it to fight for pleasure or profit, (including, but not limited to being a spectator or vendor at such an event) mutilation, beating, torturing, tormenting, failing to provide adequate food, drink, space, or health care, or by any other means; or subjects any animal in his custody to cruel neglect; or kills any animal."  (Note: KRS 525.125 specifies anyone owning the animal or organizing an animal fight is guilty of a Class D Felony and is called Cruelty to Animals in the First Degree.) This is a Class A Misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. 

Torture of a Dog or Cat is defined as: "intentional infliction of or subjection to extreme physical pain or injury, motivated by an intent to increase or prolong the pain of the animal."  The first offense is a Class A Misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  The second or subsequent offense is a Class D Felony with a fine of $1000 to $10,000 and/or imprisonment from 1 to 5 years.  When convicted of a felony, at least 1 year imprisonment is mandatory.

Exemptions are made for hunting, fishing, trapping, processing for food or other commercial product, humane purposes.
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Louisiana
http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=78235 (Choose Next Section to view addition sections of Statute. There are 20 total relating to Animal Cruelty.)
LA Rev. Stat. Ann. 14.102

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "intentionally or with criminal negligence Overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, or overworks a living animal; torments, cruelly beats, or unjustifiably injures any living animal; unjustifiably fails to provide it with proper food, proper drink, proper shelter; abandons any animal; Carries, or causes to be carried, a living animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise, in a cruel or inhumane manner; unjustifiably administers any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal; injures any animal belonging to another person without legal privilege or consent of the owner; mistreats any living animal ; causes or procures to be done by any person any act enumerated."  This is Simple Animal Cruelty with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 6 months. In addition, 5 8-hour days of court approved community service is required.  Aggravated Animal Cruelty is when one tortures, maims, or mutilates, tampers with livestock, kills an animal belonging to another, or causes or procures another to do such.  This carries a fine of $5000 to $25,000 and/or imprisoned for 1 to 10 years.  In killing an animal belonging to another, , if the animal is valued at more than $500.00, the penalty is a felony with imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $3,000.  In instances where more than one animal is harmed or killed, each act comprises a separate offense. Animals shall be confiscated, after 15 days may be disposed of at the court's discretion, by sale, adoption, or euthanasia.  Animals may be forfeited upon conviction. Exemptions are made for lawful hunting and trapping, herding of domestic animals, veterinary practice, scientific and medical research.
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Maine
http://janus.state.me.us/legis/statutes/17/title17sec1031.html
ME Code Ann. Title 17 –1031

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "Kills or attempts to kill any animal without the consent of the owner, or in a manner which does not produce instantaneous death, injures, overworks, tortures, torments, abandons or cruelly beats or intentionally mutilates an animal; gives drugs to an animal with an intent to harm the animal; gives poison or alcohol to an animal; or exposes a poison with intent that it be taken by an animal, deprives an animal that the person owns or possesses of necessary sustenance, necessary medical attention, proper shelter, protection from the weather or humanely clean conditions, commits bestiality." Cruelty to Animals is a Class D crime, carrying a fine of $500 to $2500 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  In addition, the court may prohibit the person from owning or possessing animals and to pay for the care, housing and veterinary care of the animal. 

Aggravated Animal Cruelty is defined as: "in a manner manifesting a depraved indifference to animal life or suffering, intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes extreme physical pain, kills or physically tortures an animal."   A second or similar conviction of Cruelty to Animals, or Aggravated Animal Cruelty is a Class C crime, carrying a fine of $1000 to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. In addition, the court will prohibit the person from owning or possessing animals and may order to pay for the care, housing and veterinary care of the animal.  Psychological or other treatment or counseling may also be required. Exemptions are made for pest control, research, veterinary care, hunting and animal husbandry.
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Maryland
http://198.187.128.12/maryland/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=fs-main.htm&2.0 (Use the + to go to the correct statute, Maryland Code, Criminal Law, Title 10, Subtitle 6, 10-601, Next Doc to read the entire statute)
MD Code Ann. 10-601 et seq. 

Cruelty or Neglect of an Animal is defined as: "overdrive or overload an animal; deprive an animal of necessary sustenance; cause or procure such actions; if an animal is in a person's charge or custody they may not inflict unnecessary suffering or pain on the animal or unnecessarily fail to provide the animal with nutritious food in sufficient quantity, necessary veterinary care, proper drink, air, space, shelter, or protection from the weather."  This is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment for up to 90 days. 

Aggravated Cruelty to Animals is defined as: "intentionally mutilate, torture, cruelly beat, or cruelly kill an animal; cause, procure, or authorize such action; or except in the case of self-defense, intentionally inflict bodily harm, permanent disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit."  This is a Felony which carries a fine of up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 3 years.  Exemptions are made for veterinary and husbandry practices, research; food processing, pest elimination, training, and hunting as long as the person uses the most humane method reasonably available; normal human activities in which pain to animals is incidental and unavoidable.
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Massachusetts
http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/272-77.htm
Mass. Gen LawsCh. 272-77 – Cruelty to Animals

http://www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/266%2D112.htm
Mass. Gen LawsCh. 266-112 – Malicious Killing of an Animal

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "overdrives, overloads, drives when overloaded, overworks, tortures, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance, cruelly beats, mutilates or kills an animal, or causes or procures such; and whoever uses in a cruel or inhuman manner in a race, game, or contest, or in training therefor, as lure or bait a live animal; inflicts unnecessary cruelty upon it, or unnecessarily fails to provide it with proper food, drink, shelter, sanitary environment, or protection from the weather, or cruelly drives or works it when unfit for labor, or willfully abandons it, or carries it or causes it to be carried in or upon a vehicle, or otherwise, in an unnecessarily cruel or inhuman; or knowingly and willfully authorizes or permits it to be subjected to unnecessary torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind."  This is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days. 

Malicious Killing is defined as: "willfully and maliciously kills, maims or disfigures any horse, cattle or other animal of another person, or willfully and maliciously administers or exposes poison with intent that it shall be taken or swallowed by any such animal," which is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five years or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 2 1/2 years or by a fine of not more than $2,500, or by both such fine and imprisonment.. Exemptions are made for Cruelty to Animals for use of live bait in fishing.
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Michigan
http://michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=mcl-750-50&highlight=
Michigan Penal Code 750.50 – Animal Abuse

http://michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=mcl-750-50b&highlight=
Michigan Penal Code 750.50b – Maliciously killing or injuring

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "Fail to provide an animal with adequate care; Cruelly drive, work, or beat an animal. Carry or cause to be carried in or upon a vehicle or otherwise any live animal having the feet or legs tied together. Carry or cause to be carried a live animal in or upon a vehicle or otherwise without providing a secure space, rack, car, crate, or cage in which all animals may stand, turn around, and lie down during transportation, or while awaiting slaughter. Abandon an animal or cause an animal to be abandoned, in any place, without making provisions for the animal's adequate care, unless premises are temporarily vacated for the protection of human life during a disaster. Willfully or negligently allow any animal, including one who is aged, diseased, maimed, hopelessly sick, disabled, or nonambulatory to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture, or pain. Tether a dog unless the tether is at least 3 times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail and is attached to a harness or nonchoke collar designed for tethering." The first offense of such is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 93 days and/or community service for not more than 200 hours.  The second offense of such is a Felony with a fine up to $2000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years and/or community service for not more than 300 hours. The third or subsequent offence of such is a Felony with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years and/or community service for not more than 500 hours.  In all of the above, the convicted shall pay for the prosecution of his case and may be required to forfeit the animal(s) in his charge and may prohibit the ownership of animals for a period of time or permanently for a second conviction.  Exemptions are made for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, horse racing, operation of a zoological park or aquarium, pest or rodent control, farming, husbandry, and research.

Malicious Animal Cruelty is defined as: "willfully, maliciously and without just cause or excuse kills, tortures, mutilates, maims, or disfigures an animal or who willfully and maliciously and without just cause or excuse administers poison to an animal, or exposes an animal to any poisonous substance."  This is a Felony with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years and/or community service for not more than 500 hours.  In addition, the convicted may be required to pay for his prosecution, the cost of care of the animal victim, psychological evaluation and treatment, and may be prohibited  from owning domestic animals. Exemptions are made for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife control, pest or rodent control, and research.
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Minnesota
http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/343/21.html
Minn Stat. 343.20 et seq

Animal Cruelty is defined as: "No person shall overdrive, overload, torture, cruelly beat, neglect, or unjustifiably injure, maim, mutilate, or kill any animal, or cruelly work any animal when it is unfit for labor, or instigate or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal or animals, or any act tending to produce cruelty to animals."  Cruelty to animals is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $700 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days.  A second or subsequent conviction of cruelty to animals in a Gross Misdemeanor with a fine up to $3000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  Intentional cruelty to a companion or pet animal resulting in substantial bodily harm is punishable by a fine up to $3000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year; a second or subsequent conviction of such is punishable by fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years.  Intentional cruelty to a companion or pet animal resulting in death or great bodily harm is punishable with a fine up to $5000 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years; a conviction of such that was done to threaten, intimidate or terrorize another person is punishable with a fine up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to 4 years.  In addition, the convicted may have a probation period where they may not own, have custody or control of any companion or pet animal, if they maintain custody of companion animals they may have periodic visits from an animal control officer, may be required to perform community service, or complete psychological, behavioral or other treatment.  There are no named exemptions.
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Mississippi
http://www.mscode.com/free/statutes/97/041/0001.htm
Miss Code Ann 97-41-1 et seq.

Animal cruelty is defined as: "override, overdrive, overload, torture, torment, unjustifiably injure, deprive of necessary sustenance, food, or drink; or cruelly beat or needlessly mutilate."  Cruelty to animals is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 or imprisonment up to 6 months.   Malicious injury to dogs is defined as: "maliciously, either out of a spirit of revenge or wanton cruelty, or who shall mischievously kill, maim or wound, or injure any dog."  This is a Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 or imprisonment up to 6 months, and restitution to the owner of the dog to include replacement, veterinary fees, special supplies and loss of income.  There are no exemptions listed.
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Missouri
http://www.moga.state.mo.us/STATUTES/C578.HTM
MO Rev. Stat. 578.005 et seq

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "Intentionally or purposely kills an animal; purposely or intentionally causes injury or suffering to an animal; or having ownership or custody of an animal knowingly fails to provide adequate care or adequate control."  "Willfully" is the key which distinguishes animal abuse from animal neglect.  Animal neglect and abandonment is a Class C Misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 15 days.  Animal abuse is a Class A Misdemeanor with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  A second or subsequent conviction, or if the abuse includes "torture or mutilation, or both, consciously inflicted while the animal was alive" is a Class D Felony with a fine up to $500 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years.  Exemptions are made for care or treatment by a licensed veterinarian, bona fide scientific experiments, hunting, fishing, trapping, zoological parks, rodeo practices, humane killing, animal husbandry, killing an animal that is attacking or injuring another person while outside the owner's property, pests, and field trials, training and hunting practices for hunting dogs.
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Montana
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/mca/45/8/45-8-211.htm
Montana Code Annotated 45-8-211

Cruelty to animals is defined as: "overworking, beating, tormenting, injuring, or killing any animal; carrying or confining any animal in a cruel manner; failing to provide an animal in the person's custody with: food and water of sufficient quantity and quality to sustain the animal's normal health;  minimum protection for the animal from adverse weather conditions, with consideration given to the species; or in cases of immediate, obvious, serious illness or injury, licensed veterinary or other appropriate medical care; abandoning any helpless animal or abandoning any animal on any highway, railroad, or in any other place where it may suffer injury, hunger, or exposure or become a public charge; or promoting, sponsoring, conducting, or participating in an animal race of more than 2 miles, except a sanctioned endurance race." Cruelty to animals is punishable with a fine up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year.  In the instance where more than one animals is involved, but less than 10, each animal affected can result in an addition charge of cruelty to animals. 

Aggravated cruelty to animals is defined as: "purposely or knowingly: kills or inflicts cruelty to an animal with the purpose of terrifying, torturing, or mutilating the animal; or inflicts cruelty to animals on a collection, kennel, or herd of 10 or more animals."  Aggravated animal cruelty or a second or subsequent conviction of animal cruelty is punishable with a fine up to $2,500 and/or imprisonment up to 2 years. Additional sentencing provisions include cost of care including those costs incurred by animal control or humane society, forfeiture of animals, and prohibited ownership, possession or custody of animals for a term determined by the court.  Exemptions are made for humane destruction for a just cause, accepted agriculture and husbandry practices, rodeo, lawful fishing, hunting and trapping, wildlife management, lawful scientific research, veterinary services, control of rodents, predators and other animal damage control activities, and acceptable training and discipline methods.
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