The public plays a crucial role in helping the Hancock County Humane Officers identify and bring to justice people who are cruel to animals. Without the help of concerned citizens such as yourself, many of these voiceless creatures would be left to suffer silently at the hands of their owners.
(Agriculture Dogs & Cats) 19-20-12 Dogs, other animals & reptiles protected by law 1925, 1951, 1973, 1984, 2000 Summary: Any dog, cat, other animal or any reptile which is owned, kept & maintained as a pet by any person will be protected. Prohibits intentionally and unlawfully: killing, injuring or poisoning any such animal causing the death or injury of any such dog, cat or reptile. Prohibits intentionally & unlawfully stealing a dog, cat or other animal, although no prosecution for an unregistered dog. Authorizes commissioner to designate employees to investigate pet theft and for their sale to research companies. Establishes duty of law enforcement to aid in enforcing these statutes (and obtain reimbursement for their services per 8.) Penalty: Misdemeanor, 30 - 90 days public service and/or maximum $300 fine. Owner will also have a private right of action, although in cases involving dogs, recovery can't exceed value of dog. ***** 1st Offense: Misdemeanor, 30 - 90 days public service and/or $300 - $500 fine. 2nd or Subsequent: Misdemeanor, 90 days six months confinement OR maximum one year public service and $500 - $1,000 fine.
(Agriculture Dogs & Cats) 19-20-24 Killing or injuring law enforcement animal
1995, 1997 Summary: Prohibits, with intent to inflict serious physical injury or death, causing the death of any trained dog or horse used by law enforcement, military affairs, public safety, or fire prevention/investigation in their official duties. Prohibits willfully causes physical injury to any trained dog or horse used by law enforcement, military affairs, public safety, or fire prevention/investigation in their official duties. Penalty: Felony, fined $500 - $1,000 and maximum three years confinement. Also, must make restitution for vet bills and replacement costs. ***** Misdemeanor, fined maximum $500 and/or maximum six months confinement. Also, must make restitution for vet bills and, if disabled or killed, replacement costs.
(Crimes & Their Punishments Crimes Against Chastity, Morality & Decency) 61-8-19 Cruelty to animals
1875, 1995 Summary: Prohibits cruelly mistreating, abandoning or withholding proper sustenance including food, water, shelter or medical treatment necessary to sustain normal health & fitness or to end suffering abandoning an animal to die using, training, or possessing any domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domestic animal. Exceptions: hunting, fishing or trapping animal training livestock, poultry, fowl or wildlife humane use of animal regulated under 7 U.S.C. 2131 Penalty: 1st Offense: Misdemeanor, maximum six months confinement and/or $100 - $1,000 fine; must forfeit animal; offender pays costs for caring for animal 2nd Offense: Misdemeanor, 90 days one year confinement and/or $500 - $1,000 fine; probation not to be granted until offender undergoes complete psych. evaluation at his expense, unless indigent. Court also may prohibit animal ownership during term of probation.
(Crimes & Their Punishments Crimes Against Property) 61-3-27 Poisoning animals
1849, 1882, 1994 Summary: Prohibits maliciously: administering poison to any horse, cow or other animal of another exposing poison with intent that it be taken by any horse, cow or other animal of another maiming, killing, or causing the death of any horse, cow or other animal of another Exception: Dogs. Penalty: If the animal is valued at $100 or more: Felony, one year- 10 years confinement. If the animal is valued at less than $100 or more: Misdemeanor, maximum three months confinement and fined maximum $500
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