In Weld County, Cruelty to Animals is a charge that involves any abuse of an animal, such as a cat or dog. In Colorado Springs recently a man was charged with Cruelty to Animals after his son was videoed slapping and kicking at the family’s dog. The video went viral and when the police were notified, they did not press charges for the actions of the boy in the video instead, officers charged the father with Animal Cruelty for not providing adequate shelter to the animal. The man’s son also received a warning for his behavior in the video. There are many ways to get in trouble and charged with Animal Cruelty or Animal Abuse. See these below in the definition of Cruelty to an Animal.
What is the Definition for Animal Cruelty in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, Colorado, Cruelty to Animals – C.R.S. 18-9-202 – is charged when:
He or she 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, engages in a sexual act with an animal, otherwise mistreats or neglects any animal, causes or procures it to be done, 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, abandons an animal.
A person also commits cruelty to animals if he or she recklessly or with criminal negligence tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal.
Examples of Animal Abuse or Cruelty to Animals in Colorado
In the Colorado case above, if the man was not providing the dog with adequate shelter that would be classified as Animal Cruelty. This might involve a dog left out in the sun, snow or rain. We’ve also seen many cases where a dog owner leaves the dog in a hot car, or in the back of a pickup on a hot day, where the bed of a pickup gets too hot. Finally, if your dog is in warm weather, they must have plenty of clean water to drink and food. In reference to the son who was videotaped since it could not be proven that harm happened to the dog, the police only gave him a warning.
What is the Definition of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals in Weld County?
A person commits Aggravated Cruelty to Animals if he or she knowingly tortures, needlessly mutilates, or needlessly kills an animal, such as a dog or cat.
What is the Sentence for Animal Cruelty in Greeley, Colorado?
Cruelty to Animals involving a cat or dog in Greeley, Colorado is a class 1 misdemeanor. A class 1 misdemeanor conviction comes with penalties of a fine between $500 and $5,000 and 6 months to 18 months in the Weld County Jail. Also, a convicted offender might also have to work through their anger management in a treatment program approved by their probation officer. Aggravated Cruelty to Animals is a class 6 felony and can result in 1 year to 18 months in the Department of Corrections
If you or someone you love has been charged with Cruelty to Animals in Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Animal Cruelty criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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