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Alaska Statutes.

Title 11. Criminal Law

Chapter 61. Offenses Against Public Order

Section 140. Cruelty to Animals.

AS 11.61.140. Cruelty to Animals.

(a) A person commits cruelty to animals if the person

(1) knowingly inflicts severe and prolonged physical pain or suffering on an animal;

(2) with criminal negligence, fails to care for an animal and, as a result, causes the death of the animal or causes severe physical pain or prolonged suffering to the animal;

(3) kills or injures an animal by the use of a decompression chamber; or

(4) intentionally kills or injures a pet or livestock by the use of poison.

(b) Each animal that is subject to cruelty to animals under (a)(1) - (4) of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

(c) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the conduct of the defendant

(1) was part of scientific research governed by accepted standards;

(2) constituted the humane destruction of an animal;

(3) conformed to accepted veterinary or animal husbandry practices;

(4) was necessarily incidental to lawful fishing, hunting or trapping activities;

(5) conformed to professionally accepted training and discipline standards.

(d) In (a)(2) of this section, failure to provide the minimum standards of care for an animal under AS 03.55.100 is prima facie evidence of failure to care for an animal.

(e) This section does not apply to generally accepted dog mushing or pulling contests or practices or rodeos or stock contests.

(f) Cruelty to animals is a class A misdemeanor. The court may also

(1) require forfeiture of any animal affected to the state or to a custodian that supplies shelter, care, or medical treatment for the animal;

(2) require the defendant to reimburse the state or a custodian for all reasonable costs incurred in providing necessary shelter, care, veterinary attention, or medical treatment for any animal affected;

(3) prohibit or limit the defendant's ownership, possession, or custody of animals for up to 10 years.

Note to HTML Version:

This version of the Alaska Statutes is current through December, 2004. The Alaska Statutes were automatically converted to HTML from a plain text format. Every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, but this can not be guaranteed. If it is critical that the precise terms of the Alaska Statutes be known, it is recommended that more formal sources be consulted. For statutes adopted after the effective date of these statutes, see, Alaska State Legislature If any errors are found, please e-mail Touch N' Go systems at E-mail. We hope you find this information useful.

Last modified 9/3/2005