Iowa Code 717B.8 – Abandonment of cats and dogs — penalties
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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1. A person commits animal abandonment if the person owns or has custody of a cat or dog and relinquishes all rights in and duties to care for the cat or dog.
Attorney's Note
Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Aggravated misdemeanor | up to 2 years | between $855 and $8,540 |
| Serious misdemeanor | up to 1 year | between $430 and $2,560 |
| Simple misdemeanor | up to 30 days | between $105 and $855 |
Terms Used In Iowa Code 717B.8
- Animal: means a nonhuman vertebrate. See Iowa Code 717B.1
- Department: means the department of agriculture and land stewardship. See Iowa Code 717B.1
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Injury: means an animal's disfigurement; the impairment of an animal's health; or an impairment to the functioning of an animal's limb or organ, including physical damage or harm to an animal's muscle, tissue, organs, bones, hide, or skin. See Iowa Code 717B.1
- person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Serious injury: means an injury that constitutes an animal's protracted or permanent disfigurement, the protracted or permanent impairment of an animal's health, the protracted or permanent impairment of the functioning of an animal's limb or organ, or the loss of an animal's limb or organ. See Iowa Code 717B.1
- Veterinarian: means a veterinarian licensed pursuant to chapter 169 who practices veterinary medicine in this state. See Iowa Code 717B.1
2. This section does not apply to any of the following:
a. The delivery of a cat or dog to another person who will accept ownership and custody of the cat or dog.
b. The delivery of a cat or dog to an animal shelter or pound as defined in section 162.2 that has been issued or renewed a valid authorization by the department under chapter 162.
c. A person who relinquishes custody of a cat at a location in which the person does not hold a legal or equitable interest, if previously the person had taken custody of the cat at the same location and provided for the cat’s sterilization by a veterinarian.
3. a. A person who commits animal abandonment that does not cause injury or death to an animal is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.
b. A person who commits animal abandonment that causes injury other than serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.
c. A person who commits animal abandonment that causes serious injury or death to an animal is guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.