|
|
351. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Animal" means all living sentient creatures, not human beings.
(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of agriculture, food and markets.
(3) "Horse" means the entire family of equidae.
(4) "Humane officer" or "officer" means any law enforcement officer as
defined in 23 V.S.A. § 4(11), auxiliary state police officers, deputy game wardens,
humane society officer, employee or agent, local board of health officer or agent, or any
officer authorized to serve criminal process.
(5) "Humane society" or "society for prevention of cruelty to animals"
means the Vermont Humane Federation, Inc., or its successor, or any incorporated humane
society which, through its agents has the lawful authority to interfere with acts of
cruelty to animals.
(6) "Local board of health" means the town or city health officer and the boards
of selectmen or aldermen.
(7) "Necessary medical attention" shall include but not be limited to medical
treatment for illness, injury, disease, excessive parasitism, or malformed or overgrown
hoof.
(8) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership or corporation, or
authorized agent or representative of a person, partnership or corporation.
(9) "Sanitation" means the maintenance of clean conditions for indoor and
outdoor enclosures to minimize health hazards, including periodic cleanings to remove
excretions or other waste materials, dirt and trash.
(10) "Torture" or "torment" means omission, neglect, or an act by an
animal owner or other person, whereby physical pain, suffering or death is caused or
permitted to be caused to an animal.
(11) "Livestock" means cattle, bison, horses, sheep, goats, swine, cervidae,
ratites and camelids.
(12) "Poultry" means meat and egg producing chickens, exhibition (fancy)
chickens, turkeys, domestic ducks, geese, pheasants, chicken partridge and cotarnix quail.
(13) "Livestock and poultry husbandry practices" means the raising, management
and using of animals to provide humans with food, fiber or transportation in a manner
consistent with:
(A) husbandry practices recommended for the species by agricultural colleges and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Extension Service;
(B) husbandry practices modified for the species to conform to the Vermont environment and
terrain; and
(C) husbandry practices that minimize pain and suffering.
(14) "Agricultural or sporting association" means an organization or association
determined by the commissioner.
§ 351a Purpose of subchapter
The purpose of this subchapter is to prevent cruelty to animals. In implementing this
subchapter, enforcement officers are encouraged to educate the public on requirements of
the subchapter and, when appropriate, to seek voluntary resolution of violations.
§ 351b Scope of subchapter
This subchapter shall not apply to:
(1) activities regulated by the department of fish and wildlife pursuant to part 4 of
Title 10;
(2) scientific research governed by accepted procedural standards subject to review by an
institutional animal care and use committee;
(3) livestock and poultry husbandry practices for raising, management and use of animals;
(4) veterinary medical or surgical procedures; and
(5) the killing of an animal as provided by sections 3809 and 3545 of Title 20.
352. Cruelty to animals
A person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person:
(1) intentionally kills or attempts to kill any animal belonging to another person without
first obtaining legal authority or consent of the owner;
(2) overworks, overloads, tortures, torments, abandons, administers poison to, cruelly
beats or mutilates an animal, exposes a poison with intent that it be taken by an animal;
(3) ties, tethers, or restrains an animal, either a pet or livestock, in a manner that is
inhumane or is detrimental to its welfare. Livestock and poultry husbandry practices are
exempted;
(4) deprives an animal which a person owns, possesses or acts as an agent for, of adequate
food, water, shelter, rest or sanitation, or necessary medical attention, or transports an
animal in overcrowded vehicles;
(5) owns, possesses, keeps or trains an animal engaged in an exhibition of fighting, or
possesses, keeps or trains any animal with intent that it be engaged in an exhibition of
fighting, or permits any such act to be done on premises under his or her charge or
control;
(6) acts as judge or spectator at events of animal fighting or bets or wagers on the
outcome of such fight;
(7) as poundkeeper, officer, agent of a humane society or as an owner or employee of an
establishment for treatment, board or care of an animal, knowingly receives, sells,
transfers or otherwise conveys an animal in his or her care for the purpose of research or
vivisection;
(8) intentionally torments or harasses an animal owned or engaged by a police department
or public agency of the state or its political subdivisions, or interferes with the lawful
performance of a police animal;
(9) knowingly sells, offers for sale, barters or displays living baby chicks, ducklings or
other fowl which have been dyed, colored or otherwise treated so as to impart to them an
artificial color, or fails to provide poultry with proper brooder facilities;
(10) uses a live animal as bait or lure in a race, game or contest, or in training animals
in a manner inconsistent with Part 4 of Title 10 or the rules adopted thereunder.
§ 352a Aggravated cruelty to animals
A person commits the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals if the person intentionally
kills an animal by means causing the animal undue pain or suffering.
§ 352b Rules; affirmative defense
(a) An enforcement officer implementing the provisions of section 352 or 352a of this
title shall be guided by rules established by the commissioner.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, an affirmative defense to
prosecution under section 352 or 352a of this title may be raised when:
(1) except for vivisection or research under section 352(7) of this title, the defendant
was a veterinarian whose conduct conformed to accepted veterinary practice for the area,
or was a scientist whose conduct was a part of scientific research governed by accepted
procedural standards subject to review by an institutional care and use committee;
(2) the defendant's conduct was designed to control or eliminate rodents, ants or other
common pests on the defendant's own property;
(3) the defendant was a person appropriately licensed to utilize pesticides under chapter
87 of Title 6;
(4) the defendant humanely euthanized any animal as a representative of a duly organized
humane society, animal shelter or town pound according to rules of this subchapter, or as
a veterinarian destroying animals under chapter 193 or sections 3511 and 3513 of Title 20;
or
(5) a state agency was implementing a rabies control program.
(c) An affirmative defense to a charge of abandonment under section 352 of this title
shall not be recognized where a person abandons an animal at or near an animal shelter or
veterinary clinic, farm or other place of shelter, without making reasonable arrangements
for the care of the animal.
(d) The authority to enforce this chapter shall not be construed in a manner inconsistent
with the animal control or disease control eradication programs in Title 6, or chapters
191, 193, 194 and 195 of Title 20 or the provisions of part 4 of Title 10, or the rules
adopted thereunder.
353. Degree of offense; sentencing upon conviction
(a) Penalties.
(1) Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, cruelty to animals under
section 352 of this title shall be punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more
than one year, or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both. Second and subsequent
convictions shall be punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than two years
or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
(2) Aggravated cruelty under section 352a of this title shall be punishable by a sentence
of imprisonment of not more than three years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or
both. Second and subsequent offenses shall be punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of
not more than five years or a fine of not more than $7,500.00, or both.
(3) An offense committed under subdivisions 352(5) and (6) of this title shall be
punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or a fine of not more
than $5,000.00, or both.
(b) In addition to any other sentence the court may impose, the court may require a
defendant convicted of a violation under section 352 or 352a of this title to:
(1) Forfeit any rights to the animal subjected to cruelty, and to any other animal, except
livestock or poultry owned, possessed, or in the custody of the defendant.
(2) Repay the reasonable costs incurred by any person, municipality or agency for
providing care for the animal prior to judgment. If the court does not order a defendant
to pay all the applicable costs incurred or orders only partial payment, it shall state on
the record the reasons for that action.
(3) Forfeit any future right to own, possess, or care for any animal for a period which
the court deems appropriate.
(4) Participate in available animal cruelty prevention programs or educational programs,
or both, or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling, within a reasonable distance
from the defendant's residence. The court may impose the costs of such programs or
counseling upon the defendant when appropriate.
(5) Permit periodic unannounced visits for a period up to one year by a humane officer to
inspect the care and condition of any animal permitted by the court to remain in the care,
custody, or possession of the defendant. Such period may be extended by the court upon
motion made by the state.
(c) Upon an order of forfeiture of an animal under this section or section 354 of this
title, the court shall order custody of the animal remanded to a humane society or other
individual deemed appropriate by the court, for further disposition in accordance with
accepted practices for humane treatment of animals. A transfer of rights under this
section constitutes a transfer of ownership, and shall not constitute or authorize any
limitation upon the right of the humane society, individual, or other entity, to whom
rights are granted to dispose of the animal.
§ 354 Enforcement; possession of abused animal; searches and seizures; forfeiture
(a) The commissioner of agriculture, food and markets shall be consulted prior to any
enforcement action brought pursuant to this chapter which involves livestock and poultry.
(b) Any humane officer as defined in section 351 of this title may enforce this chapter.
As part of an enforcement action, a humane officer may seize an animal being cruelly
treated in violation of this chapter.
(1) Voluntary surrender. A humane officer may accept animals voluntarily surrendered by
the owner anytime during the cruelty investigation. The humane officer shall have a
surrendered animal examined and assessed within 72 hours by a veterinarian licensed to
practice in the state of Vermont.
(2) Search and seizure using a search warrant. A humane officer having probable cause to
believe an animal is being subjected to cruel treatment in violation of this subchapter
may apply for a search warrant pursuant to the Rules of Criminal Procedure to authorize
the officer to enter the premises where the animal is kept and seize the animal. The
application and affidavit for the search warrant shall be reviewed and authorized by an
attorney for the state when sought by an officer other than an enforcement officer defined
in 23 V.S.A. § 4(11). A veterinarian licensed to practice in Vermont must accompany the
humane officer during the execution of the search warrant.
(3) Seizure without a search warrant. If the humane officer witnesses a situation in which
the humane officer determines that an animal's life is in jeopardy and immediate action is
required to protect the animal's health or safety, the officer may seize the animal
without a warrant. The humane officer shall immediately take an animal seized under this
subdivision to a licensed veterinarian for medical attention to stabilize the animal's
condition and to assess the health of the animal.
(c) A humane officer shall provide suitable care at a reasonable cost for an animal seized
under this section, and have a lien on the animal for all expenses incurred. A humane
officer may arrange for the euthanasia of a severely injured, diseased, or suffering
animal upon the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian. A humane officer may arrange
for euthanasia of an animal seized under this section when the owner is unwilling or
unable to provide necessary medical attention required while the animal is in custodial
care or when the animal cannot be safely confined under standard housing conditions. An
animal not destroyed by euthanasia shall be kept in custodial care until final disposition
of the criminal charges except as provided in subsections (d) through (h) of this section.
The custodial caregiver shall be responsible for maintaining the records applicable to all
animals seized, including identification, residence, location, medical treatment, and
disposition of the animals.
(d) If an animal is seized under this section, the state may file a motion in the criminal
action for an order requiring the defendant to forfeit any and all rights in the animal
prior to final disposition of the criminal charge.
(e) Upon the filing of a motion under subsection (d) of this section, the court shall set
a hearing to be held as soon as practicable.
(f) At the hearing on the motion, the state shall have the burden of establishing by clear
and convincing evidence that the animal was subjected to cruelty, neglect or abandonment
in violation of section 352 of this title. The court shall make findings of fact and
conclusions of law and shall issue a final order. If the state meets its burden of proof,
the motion shall be granted and the court shall order the immediate forfeiture of the
animal in accordance with the provisions of subsection 353(c) of this title. If the
defendant, within 48 hours after the hearing, posts a security deposit in an amount of
$30.00 per animal, the animal shall remain in custodial care until final disposition of
the criminal charges. After 30 days, the defendant shall post an additional security
deposit in the amount of $30.00 per animal until resolution of the criminal charges. If
the defendant fails to post the required security deposit, the court, upon motion by the
state, shall order immediate forfeiture of any unsecured animals, unless such deposit
requirement is waived by the court for good cause shown.
(g) If the defendant is convicted of criminal charges under this chapter, the defendant
shall be required to repay all reasonable costs incurred by the custodial caregiver for
caring for the animal, including veterinary expenses.
(h) If the defendant has posted a security deposit in accordance with subsection (e) of
this section and is subsequently acquitted of charges of violating the provisions of this
chapter, the agency or person with whom the security deposit was posted shall return the
security deposit to the defendant, less the reasonable cost of caring for the animal.
(i) The provisions of this section are in addition to and not in lieu of the provisions of
section 353 of this title.
(j) It is unlawful for a person to interfere with a humane officer or the commissioner of
agriculture, food and markets engaged in official duties under this chapter. A person who
violates this subsection shall be prosecuted under section 3001 of Title 13.
3513. Disposal of abandoned animals
Any person having in his care, custody or control any abandoned animal as defined in
section 3511 of this title may deliver the animal to any humane society or society for the
prevention of cruelty to animals, or in the case of dogs, cats or other small animals to
any pound maintained by or for any town within which the animal was abandoned, or he may
sell the animal, the proceeds from the sale to be applied to the contractual liability
incurred by the person placing the animal. If the person to whom the animal was abandoned
is unable to sell the animal, it may be humanely euthanized by any veterinarian licensed
to practice in Vermont.
Amended in 1997.
Reviewed by AAHS in September 2001.
Return to Top of This Page
Return to Cruelty to Animals Page