2010 Wyoming Statutes
Title 11 - Agriculture, Livestock And Other Animals
Chapter 29 - Protection Of Domestic Animals

CHAPTER 29 - PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS

 

11-29-101. Definitions.

 

(a) As used in this act:

 

(i) "Animal" means every living dumb creature;

 

(ii) "Owner" or "person" means any individual including the agents and employees of corporations;

 

(iii) "Torture," "torment" or "cruelty" means every act, omission or neglect whereby the willful and malicious infliction of pain or suffering is caused, permitted or allowed to continue when there is a reasonable remedy or relief;

 

(iv) "Disposal" means as defined in W.S. 11-24-101(a)(iv);

 

(v) "Livestock" means as defined in W.S. 23-1-102(a)(xvi);

 

(vi) "This act" means W.S. 11-29-101 through 11-29-113.

 

11-29-102. Repealed by Laws 1982, ch. 75, 5; 1983, ch. 171, 3.

 

11-29-103. Animals to be fed while impounded; penalties.

 

 

(a) Every person who impounds or causes to be impounded any animal in any pound or corral, under the laws of this state, shall supply to the animal during confinement a sufficient quantity of wholesome food and water.

 

(b) Any person convicted of violating this section shall be imprisoned not exceeding six (6) months, or fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both.

 

11-29-104. Furnishing food to impounded animals.

 

When any animal impounded is without food or water for more than twelve (12) successive hours, it is lawful for any person to enter into any pound or corral in which the animal is confined and supply the animal with food and water as often as necessary so long as the animal remains confined. Any person entering property to supply food and water to an impounded animal is not liable in any action for the entry and the reasonable cost of the food and water may be collected by him from the owner of the animal.

 

11-29-105. Livestock board; certificates or badges to be provided.

 

Officers and agents of the Wyoming livestock board shall be provided with a certificate by the board that they are officers and agents of the board, in such form as the board may choose, or with a badge bearing the name or seal of the board, and if requested, shall show the certificate or badge when acting officially.

 

11-29-106. Livestock board; authority to prevent cruelty; penalty for interference with officer.

 

Any peace officer, agent or officer of the board may lawfully interfere to prevent the perpetration of any act of cruelty upon any animal in his presence. Any person who interferes with, obstructs or resists any peace officer or officer or agent of the board in the discharge of his duty shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00), or imprisoned not more than one (1) year, or both.

 

11-29-107. Repealed by Laws 2006, Chapter 88, 3.

 

 

11-29-108. Livestock board; seized animals and vehicles; lien on seized chattels; civil action for unpaid expenses.

 

When any person arrested under this act is in charge of any vehicle drawn by or containing any animal cruelly treated at the time of arrest, any peace officer, agent or officer of the board may take charge of the animal and vehicle and its contents, and give notice thereof to the owner, if known, and shall provide for them until their owner takes possession of them. The board or local government shall have a lien on the animals, the vehicle and its contents for the expense of the care and provision. The expense or any part remaining unpaid may be recovered by the board or local government in a civil action.

 

11-29-109. Livestock board; care of abandoned animals; civil action for expenses; lien.

 

Any peace officer, agent or officer of the board may take charge of any animal found abandoned, neglected or cruelly treated. He shall give notice to the owner, if known, and may care and provide for the animal until the owner takes charge of the animal. The expenses of care and provision is a charge against the owner of the animal and collectible from the owner by the board or by the local government employing the peace officer taking charge of the animal in a civil action. The board or local government may detain the animals until the expense for food, shelter and care is paid and shall have a lien upon the animals therefor.

 

11-29-110. Livestock board; enforcement of liens; notice to owner.

 

Any person entitled to a lien under this act may enforce the lien by disposing of the animals and other personal property upon which the lien is given, at public auction, upon giving written notice to the owner, if he is known, of the time and place of the disposal, at least five (5) days previous thereto, and by posting three (3) notices of the time and place of the disposal in three (3) public places within the county at least five (5) days previous thereto. If the owner is not known, the notice shall be posted at least ten (10) days previous to the disposal.

 

11-29-111. Livestock board; destruction of diseased animals.

 

Any agent or officer of the board may destroy or cause to be destroyed any animal in his charge when in his judgment and by the written certificate of two (2) reputable citizens called to view the animal in his presence, one (1) of whom may be selected by the owner of the animal if he so requests, the animal appears to be injured, disabled, diseased past recovery or unfit for any useful purpose.

 

11-29-112. Repealed by Laws 1982, ch. 75, 5; 1983, ch. 171, 3.

 

11-29-113. Dehorning cattle permitted.

 

Nothing in this act prohibits the dehorning of cattle.

 

11-29-114. Impoundment of animals; cost of care for animals; providing for bond.

 

(a) Any peace officer, agent or officer of the board may take possession of any animal treated cruelly as determined by a licensed veterinarian or veterinarian employed by the board.

 

(b) The owner of the animal impounded under subsection (a) of this section, and who has been cited under W.S. 6-3-203, shall be required to post a bond with the circuit court in the county where the animal was impounded. The bond shall be:

 

(i) In an amount the circuit court determines is sufficient to provide for the animal's board, nutritional care, veterinary care and diagnostic testing for at least ninety (90) days including the day on which the animal was impounded; and

 

(ii) Filed with the circuit court within ten (10) days after the animal is impounded.

 

(c) When the bond expires, if the owner of the animal desires to prevent disposition of the animal by the board, the owner shall post a new bond with the court as described in subsection (b) of this section.

 

(d) If a bond is not posted under subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the board shall determine final disposition of the animal in accordance with reasonable practices for the humane treatment of animals. The owner of the animal shall be liable for all costs associated with the final disposition of the animal under this subsection.

 

(e) If a bond has been posted in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the agency employing the officer, or the board, may draw from the bond the actual costs as described in subsection (b) of this section, from the date of initial impoundment to the date of final disposition of the animal.