The Injuries to Animals Animal Facilities Protection Act is contained in the Oklahoma statutes on crimes. The act can be divided out into two basic prohibited acts: using animals for fighting in Okmulgee, and acts of cruelty to animals Oklahoma.
These cases are very fact-specific. Some acts are punishable as misdemeanors and others are punishable as felonies.
Use of Animals for Fighting
Every person who maliciously, or for any money or other reward, instigates or encourages any fight between animals with the exception of dogs, is guilty of a misdemeanor. The act delineates sections pertaining to cockfighting and dogfighting.
Encouraging or instigating cockfighting is a felony offense in Oklahoma. It is unlawful to participate in most every aspect of cockfighting, from owning a fighting cock, to owning any equipment or facilities used for cockfighting. Being a spectator at a cockfight is a misdemeanor offense. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1692.6
A felony conviction under the cockfighting statutes carries a penalty of between 1 and 10 years in prison and a fine of between $2,000 and $25,000. Misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $500. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1692.8
Similarly, encouraging or instigating dogfighting for bet or profit of any sort is also punishable as a felony. The list of prohibitions is similar to that in cockfighting. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1694
You may not own dogs or possess dogs that are trained for fighting, nor keep equipment of facilities used for dogfighting. These are felony offenses.
Being a spectator at a dogfight is a misdemeanor offense. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1698
Punishments are the same for dogfighting as for cockfighting.
Cruelty to Animals Oklahoma
It is unlawful to cause, procure, or permit the beating or injuring, maiming or torturing, destruction or death of any animal, or to deprive any animal of necessary food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care. To do so is a felony offense, and is punishable by up to five years in the State Penitentiary, or by imprisonment in the county jail for up to a year, or by a fine of up to $5,000. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1685
Likewise it is unlawful to poison an animal, and is a felony offense punishable by one to three years of incarceration and a fine. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1681
The cruelty to animals Oklahoma statute also provides enforcement mechanisms by which an animal control officer may help protect an abused or neglected animal, by either removing it from the owner, or setting conditions that must be met for continued possession by the owner. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1680.4
Low-cost Consultation: Okmulgee Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know is charged with cruelty to animals Oklahoma, call 918-756-9600 right away for a initial strategy session with an Okmulgee criminal defense attorney.
You may also send a message to the Wirth Law Office – Okmulgee through this website. All inquiries are confidential.
