Section 717B.3. Animal neglect.

  1.  A person who impounds or confines, in any place, an animal is guilty of animal neglect if the person does any of the following:  

  a.  Fails to supply the animal during confinement with a sufficient quantity of food or water.

  b.  Fails to provide a confined dog or cat with adequate shelter.

  c.  Tortures, deprives of necessary sustenance, mutilates, beats, or kills an animal by any means which causes unjustified pain, distress, or suffering.

  2.  This section does not apply to a research facility, as defined in section 162.2, provided that the research facility performs functions within the scope of accepted practices and disciplines associated with the research facility.

  3.  A person who negligently or intentionally commits the offense of animal neglect is guilty of a simple misdemeanor. A person who intentionally commits the offense of animal neglect which results in serious injury to or the death of an animal is guilty of a serious misdemeanor.

94 Acts, ch 1103, §14

; 95 Acts, ch 49, §25

; 2008 Acts, ch 1058, §21

; 2014 Acts, ch 1092, §147