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 Nevada, animal cruelty is addressed under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 574.100 to 574.550, which define various forms of mistreatment and set forth the penalties for such offenses. The law prohibits overdriving, torturing, injuring, abandoning, neglecting, or unjustifiably maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal. Neglect includes failure to provide proper sustenance, care, or shelter. Nevada law also requires that animals be provided with necessary food, water, and shelter and prohibits leaving pets in vehicles under dangerous conditions. Animal cruelty in Nevada is generally considered a misdemeanor for a first offense, but can escalate to a felony for subsequent offenses or in cases of extreme cruelty or torture. Additionally, Nevada has a 'Cooney's Law' which allows for felony charges on a first offense if the animal cruelty involves the intentional killing or maiming of an animal.