IC 35-46-3-7 — Abandonment or neglect of vertebrate animals; defense
Chapter 3. Offenses Relating to Animals
Bills amending this section
Section text
Sec. 7. (a) A person who: (1) has a vertebrate animal in the person's custody; and (2) recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally abandons or neglects the animal; commits cruelty to an animal, a Class A misdemeanor. (b) However, except for a conviction under section 1 of this chapter, an offense under subsection (a) is a Level 6 felony if the: (1) person has a prior unrelated conviction under this chapter; (2) person commits the offense in the presence of a minor; or (3) abandonment or neglect results in: (A) serious permanent disfigurement; (B) unconsciousness; (C) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ; or (D) death; of the animal; or (4) person has ten (10) or more vertebrate animals in the person's custody which results in the person: (A) failing to provide adequate food, potable water, and adequate shelter to at least one (1) vertebrate animal; (B) keeping at least one (1) vertebrate animal in an overcrowded environment; or (C) disregarding the conditions under which at least one (1) vertebrate animal is living in and the harmful impact the conditions have on the health and well-being of the vertebrate animals. (c) For purposes of this section, an animal that is feral is not in a person's custody.
As added by P.L.193-1987, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.171-2007, SEC.8; P.L.111-2009, SEC.12; P.L.158-2013, SEC.558; P.L.80-2026, SEC.9.
Source: official publisher (2026 edition)