Animal Cruelty Crimes in Oklahoma are serious and many times over charged by the District Attorney in Tulsa. Mistreatment of animals is a sad reality of life but be careful the emotions of the Police can cloud what they thinks a crimes and whats not. Fortunately Oklahoma has made laws that aim to protect animals and to convict someone they have to meet the elements of the crime. These laws also dole out some serious penalties. Title 21 O.S.§1685 makes it a felony to willfully or maliciously harm an animal:
- torture, destroy or kill, or cruelly beat or injure, maim or mutilate any animal in subjugation or captivity, whether wild or tame, and whether belonging to the person or to another;
- deprive any such animal of necessary food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care to prevent suffering;
- cause, procure or permit any such animal to be so tortured, destroyed or killed, or cruelly beaten or injured, maimed or mutilated, or deprived of necessary food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care to prevent suffering;
- set on foot, instigate, engage in, or in any way further any act of cruelty to any animal, or any act tending to produce such cruelty
An animal treated in any of these circumstances will be considered an abused or neglected animal and subject a person charged with the crime to a deferred or suspended sentence.
Animal Cruelty in Oklahoma
Violation of §1685 will result in a felony and can be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years, or by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine of up to Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
Dogs Chasing Livestock – Right to Kill
Oklahoma also has a law that makes it legal for farmers or others to kill dogs that are chasing or “worrying” their livestock or domestic animals such as sheep or poultry. The dogs actually have to be on your property in order for one to be justified in killing them, and the “domestic” animals you are attempting to protect must have been raised on the farm. For instance, if a deer roamed in your backyard and your neighbor’s hounds chased after it, you would not be justified in shooting at any of those dogs.
Animal Cruelty Lawyers in Tulsa
If you are facing animal cruelty crimes, or even think you could be, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney with knowledge in this area can explain details on relevant state laws, how these laws are interpreted by local authorities, if any exceptions apply to your case, if you can recover your pet from authorities, and any defenses you may have available. Call a Criminal Defense Lawyer today for a confidential consultation.