Harming or neglecting an animal is charged as Cruelty to Animals in Castle Rock and Douglas County. Often, we see these charges stem from honest mistakes, like a dog being left outside after temperatures drop or a pet being left in the car while the owner runs into a store for a moment. Usually, the owner didn’t intend to hurt the animal and often the animals aren’t even harmed. However, you can’t say that about the subject of today’s blog. According to the report, a man was walking through a park kicking swans in the head. Many people saw the man use his might to practice karate on the unsuspecting swans. It was reported that he kicked a sleeping duck as well. The incidents were reported and the man was arrested for Animal Cruelty.

Douglas County Animal Cruelty Lawyer: Definition of Cruelty to Animals

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Cruelty to Animals – C.R.S. 18-9-202 – is:

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A person commits cruelty to animals if 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, 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.”

Obviously, in the case above, the man was knowingly beating the animals. But, as you can see, the statute convers acting knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence, so basically, it doesn’t matter your intent. If someone feels that an animal is being harmed or neglected in any way, you can face an Animal Abuse charge.

Sentence for Animal Abuse in Highlands Ranch and Parker

As a class 1 misdemeanor in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker, Cruelty to Animals or Animal Abuse is punishable by 6 to 18 months in the Douglas County Jail and up to $5,000 in fines. A second or subsequent offense is a class 6 felony charge.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Cruelty to Animals, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

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