2021 Indiana Code
Title 35. Criminal Law and Procedure
Article 46. Miscellaneous Offenses
Chapter 3. Offenses Relating to Animals
35-46-3-0.5. Definitions

Sec. 0.5. The following definitions apply throughout this chapter:

(1) "Abandon" means to desert an animal or to leave the animal without making provision for adequate long term care of the animal. The term does not include leaving an animal in a place that is temporarily vacated for the protection of human life during a disaster.

(2) "Abuse" means to knowingly or intentionally beat, torment, injure, or otherwise harm an animal. The term includes destruction of an animal by any means other than humane euthanasia if the person who destroys the animal is:

(A) a humane society;

(B) an animal control agency; or

(C) a governmental entity operating an animal shelter or other animal impounding facility.

(3) "Humane euthanasia" means the humane destruction of an animal using sodium pentobarbital or a derivative, administered in a manner that causes painless loss of consciousness and death. The term does not include a method:

(A) prohibited by section 15 of this chapter; or

(B) involving the use of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or any nonanesthetic inhalant.

(4) "Mutilate" means to wound, injure, maim, or disfigure an animal by damaging the animal's body parts or to render any part of the animal's body useless. The term includes bodily injury involving:

(A) serious permanent disfigurement;

(B) serious temporary disfigurement;

(C) permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily part or organ; or

(D) a fracture.

(5) "Neglect" means:

(A) endangering an animal's health by failing to provide or arrange to provide the animal with food or drink, if the animal is dependent upon the person for the provision of food or drink;

(B) restraining an animal for more than a brief period in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health by the use of a rope, chain, or tether that:

(i) is less than three (3) times the length of the animal;

(ii) is too heavy to permit the animal to move freely; or

(iii) causes the animal to choke;

(C) restraining an animal in a manner that seriously endangers the animal's life or health;

(D) failing to:

(i) provide reasonable care for; or

(ii) seek veterinary care for;

an injury or illness to a dog or cat that seriously endangers the life or health of the dog or cat; or

(E) leaving a dog or cat outside and exposed to:

(i) excessive heat without providing the animal with a means of shade from the heat; or

(ii) excessive cold if the animal is not provided with straw or another means of protection from the cold;

regardless of whether the animal is restrained or kept in a kennel.

(6) "Torture" means:

(A) to inflict extreme physical pain or injury on an animal with the intent of increasing or prolonging the animal's pain;

(B) to administer poison to a domestic animal (as defined in section 12(d) of this chapter) or expose a domestic animal to a poisonous substance with the intent that the domestic animal ingest the substance;

(C) to destroy an animal by electrocution in a manner inconsistent with section 5 of this chapter; or

(D) to intentionally freeze or heat an animal to death.

As added by P.L.171-2007, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.111-2009, SEC.10; P.L.141-2019, SEC.8; P.L.41-2021, SEC.8.