What Are Some Animal Abuse Laws in Oklahoma and What Are The Penalties

Animal abuse laws in Oklahoma are under new scrutiny. This is based on the latest brutal attack by a dog groomer here in Tulsa. In the video you see a dog groomer is beating a dog to death. There are several State laws pertaining to this kind of animal abuse. Specifically, animal abuse laws are under Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Sections 1680-1687. Its important to understand most cases are not as obvious as the recent cases in the media seems to be. The truth of the matter is cases involving this type of crime depend on the fact pattern of the individual case.

Animal Abuse Laws in Oklahoma by Statute

1. Cruelty to Animals: Oklahoma law prohibits cruelty to animals. This includes acts such as neglect, abandonment, physical harm, or deprivation of necessary sustenance and care.
2. Penalties for Animal Cruelty: The penalties for animal cruelty offenses can vary depending on the severity of the abuse. The number of prior convictions can also impact the penalty. For instance, a first offense of cruelty to animals is typically a misdemeanor, punishable by fines and possible imprisonment. Subsequent offenses or more severe cases can lead to felony charges.
3. Aggravated Cruelty: Oklahoma law also addresses aggravated cruelty to animals, which involves intentional or malicious harm or torture to animals. Aggravated cruelty is typically a felony offense, and penalties may include substantial fines and imprisonment.
4. Dogfighting and Cockfighting: Dogfighting and cockfighting are illegal in Oklahoma. Engaging in these activities can result in felony charges, significant fines, and imprisonment.
5. Reporting Animal Abuse: Oklahoma law encourages individuals to report suspected cases of animal abuse to local law enforcement or animal control authorities. Reporting can help authorities investigate and take appropriate action against those responsible for animal cruelty.
6. Protection Orders: Oklahoma law allows for the issuance of protective orders to prohibit individuals convicted of animal cruelty from owning, possessing, or residing with animals for a specified period.

Misdemeanor Abuse Convictions in Oklahoma

What constitutes animal abuse and the severity of the potential punishment is dependent on the facts of your particular case. This kind of charge can be based on abandonment, actual physical abuse to the dog. Additional cases can involve dog fighting and failing to provide food and shelter for an animal. Weather the potential charge is a felony or a misdemeanor depends on the egregiousness of the offense. Like all other misdemeanors the potential jail time can not exceed 1 year in jail and a fine. Other remedies are that the state can also make it unlawful for the person convicted to own any animal’s going as part of their probation.

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Criminal Defense Attorneys In Oklahoma

Being charged with animal abuse in Oklahoma is a very difficult case to face. With all the cases in the news the public is up in arms over cases involving this kind of abuse. Its important to understand that this type of claim can be politically charged. When this happens getting a fair shake is even more difficult than a normal case. Sometimes a simple oversight might lead to the district attorneys office to over charge a case or to bring a case that should not have been brought in the first place. Get a free consultation with a Tulsa animal abuse attorney from Kania Law Office by calling 918.743.2233 or click here to ask a free legal question.