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 Iowa, animal cruelty is addressed under Iowa Code Chapter 717B, known as the 'Animal Cruelty Law.' The law defines various offenses including animal neglect, which is failing to provide an animal with necessary sustenance or shelter, or failing to care for an animal's injury or disease. Animal abuse, which is more severe, involves any act intended to cause pain or suffering to an animal, or the use of force, violence, or poisoning to injure or kill an animal. Aggravated animal abuse, which is an even more serious offense, includes intentionally torturing, mutilating, or maiming an animal. Penalties for animal cruelty in Iowa range from misdemeanors for lesser offenses like neglect, to felonies for more serious offenses such as animal torture. The specific charges and penalties depend on the severity of the mistreatment and whether the offender has previous convictions for similar offenses.