Animal Cruelty Charges in Douglas County

Animal cruelty charges in Douglas County, Colorado can result when someone neglects or abuses an animal they’re responsible for. Leaving a pet in a hot car or outside in the winter are common acts that can lead to accusations of animal abuse. When cruelty to animals happens for a second time or is intentional and severe, a felony charge applies. If you or someone you know has been contacted by police regarding animal cruelty, exercise your right to remain silent and connect with an experienced defense attorney.

Douglas County Animal Cruelty Laws

Douglas County’s animal cruelty laws prohibit neglecting, abandoning, or abusing animals. CRS 18-9-202 defines the specific acts of cruelty to animals throughout Colorado. You commit animal cruelty in Castle Rock, Parker, or Highlands Ranch if you:

knowingly, recklessly, or negligently,
- abandon an animal,
- fail to provide it protection from weather,
- house it hazardously,
- carry or confine it in a vehicle in a cruel / reckless way,
- beat an animal,
- deprive it of water and food,
- engage in a sexual act with an animal,
- or overwork, overload, or torture an animal

This creates for many different circumstances where animal cruelty charges could apply. It is important to note that mistreating multiple animals results in multiple charges.

Can Someone Go to Jail for Animal Cruelty in Douglas County?

Each animal abuse case is different. Animal cruelty is at minimum a class 1 misdemeanor, possibly resulting in:

up to 18 months in county jail,
fines of $500 – $5,000,
a treatment program for anger management

However, if the situation involves intentional, severe cruelty, a class 6 felony applies. As aggravated animal cruelty, defendants face up to a year and a half in prison, one year of parole, elevated fines, and will not be permitted to have a pet for up to 5 years.

Douglas County Animal Abuse Lawyer

Sometimes animal cruelty cases aren’t what they seem. You’re not guilty just because you’ve been charged. We have decades of combined experience with animal cruelty charges throughout Colorado and are prepared for your unique case. Perhaps your pet’s injury was an accident, the animal was injured or sick from other causes, or you were acting in self-defense during an animal attack. Nevertheless, contact our law office today for a free, confidential consultation. One of our skilled criminal lawyers will carefully analyze your case, as well as recommend next steps in your defense.