Animal cruelty includes a wide range of behaviors that are mistreatment of animals—from neglect (depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, or veterinary care) to torturing, maiming, mutilating, and killing animals. Animal cruelty laws vary from state to state, and are usually included in a state’s statutes.
In Alabama, animal cruelty is addressed under the Alabama Code Title 13A. Criminal Code § 13A-11-14, which defines and penalizes acts of cruelty to animals. The law distinguishes between cruelty to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals. Cruelty to animals is considered a Class A misdemeanor and includes neglecting to provide an animal with adequate care, such as food, water, shelter, and veterinary care, as well as inflicting unnecessary suffering or pain upon an animal. Aggravated cruelty to animals, which involves more heinous acts such as torturing, mutilating, or intentionally killing an animal, is classified as a Class C felony. Alabama law also provides specific protections for dogs and cats under § 13A-11-241, which makes it a Class A misdemeanor to cruelly or unnecessarily harm, mutilate, or kill any dog or cat. The state takes animal cruelty seriously, and those found guilty of such offenses may face fines, imprisonment, and other penalties, including being barred from owning animals in the future.