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 Wyoming, animal cruelty is addressed under Wyoming Statutes Title 6. Crimes and Offenses, Chapter 3. Offenses Against Property, which includes laws against animal cruelty. The statutes define animal cruelty as intentionally or with criminal negligence causing or permitting an animal to be unnecessarily injured, tormented, tortured, or deprived of necessary food, drink, or shelter, or cruelly beaten or needlessly mutilated. Wyoming law distinguishes between cruelty to animals and aggravated cruelty to animals, the latter being the more severe offense that involves intentionally torturing or killing an animal. Penalties for animal cruelty in Wyoming can range from misdemeanor charges for first offenses to felony charges for repeated offenses or aggravated cruelty. The state also has laws regarding the proper transportation of animals and prohibitions against animal fighting.