Most pet owners want nothing but the best for their pet. They spend hours with their animal friend indoors and out, buy them the best food and toys, and make sure they are healthy. Disturbingly, some people take far less good care of their pets — and in some cases neglect and cruelty are an issue. While all states have penalties for animal cruelty, some states make it a priority to ensure animals are safe in their homes, while others are less concerned about animal safety.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s “2017 U.S. Animal Protection Laws Rankings.” The ALDF evaluated state animal protection laws, including the penalties for animal abuse, reporting requirements, offender registration laws, general prohibitions such as those of animal fighting, and so on.
There were 1,126 cases of animal cruelty reported to the FBI in 2016. Because the FBI only started collecting animal cruelty data in 2016, the data is not nationally representative. Pets can’t advocate for themselves, and the actual number of animal cruelty cases is likely far higher than published estimates.
The ALDF grouped state animal protection laws into 15 categories. In an email to 24/7 Wall St., Lora Dunn, director of ALDF’s Criminal Justice Program, highlighted several rules that support animal well-being: general prohibitions and penalties such as penalties for abuse, neglect, and abandonment; protective orders that may include pets — laws Dunn noted can help prevent domestic abuse; and mandatory veterinary reporting of animal abuse.
Click here to see the best and worst states for pets.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
Source: Page Light Studios / iStock
1. Illinois
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and $25,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 51.8% (6th lowest)
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2. Oregon
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $125,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 63.6% (4th highest)
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Source: oneinchpunch / iStock
3. California
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years county jail and/or $20,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 52.9% (8th lowest)
Source: krblokhin / iStock
4. Maine
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or up to $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 62.9% (5th highest)
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5. Rhode Island
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment, or $1,000 fine, treble civil damages if animal was owned by another, and 50 hours community service
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 53.0% (9th lowest)
Source: Angela Schwaiger / iStock
6. Michigan
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 4 years imprisonment, and/or $5,000 fine, and/or 500 hours community service, costs of prosecution, and costs of care for the abused animal
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 55.4% (19th lowest)
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Source: krblokhin / iStock
7. West Virginia
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years in jail and $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 62.1% (8th highest)
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8. Nevada
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 1 year county jail and/or $2,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 55.6% (20th lowest)
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9. New Jersey
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $15,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 50.7% (3rd lowest)
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10. Colorado
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years in prison and $1,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 61.3% (13th highest)
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11. Arizona
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 2 years imprisonment and/or $150,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 59.5% (18th highest)
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12. Washington
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years state prison and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 62.7% (6th highest)
Source: DACowley / iStock
13. New Hampshire
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 7 years imprisonment and/or $4,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 56.8% (24th lowest)
Source: TomLester / iStock
14. Massachusetts
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years state prison and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 50.4% (the lowest)
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15. Delaware
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years and fine determined by court
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 56.6% (23rd lowest)
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16. Florida
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 54.4% (15th lowest)
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17. Tennessee
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 30 years imprisonment and $25,000 fine, for intentional killing of an animal.
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 59.6% (17th highest)
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18. Indiana
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 59.9% (16th highest)
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19. Kansas
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 1 year imprisonment and $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 61.0% (15th highest)
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20. Oklahoma
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years in prison, or 1 year in county jail, or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 58.9% (20th highest)
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21. Louisiana
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years imprisonment and/or $25,000 fine and 40 hours community service
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 55.1% (17th lowest)
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22. Minnesota
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 4 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 53.0% (9th lowest)
Source: josephgruber / iStock
23. Virginia
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years imprisonment and/or 1 year imprisonment and $2,500 fine (for livestock)
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 53.4% (11th lowest)
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24. Pennsylvania
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 7 years imprisonment and/or $15,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 56.9% (24th highest)
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25. Nebraska
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years imprisonment and 18 months post-release supervision and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 51.3% (5th lowest)
Source: DACowley / iStock
26. Vermont
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 2 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 70.8% (the highest)
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27. Ohio
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 1 year imprisonment and $2,500 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 57.4% (23rd highest)
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Source: DeeAnnaPiatek / iStock
28. Texas
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 20 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 58.5% (21st highest)
Source: Dendron / iStock
29. Wisconsin
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3.5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 57.5% (22nd highest)
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30. Connecticut
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 54.4% (15th lowest)
Source: seagames50 / iStock
31. Missouri
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 4 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 61.4% (12th highest)
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32. Georgia
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years prison and/or $100,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 55.1% (17th lowest)
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33. North Carolina
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 6 months imprisonment and/or fine at the discretion of the court
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 56.4% (21st lowest)
Source: Sean_Gao / iStock
34. Arkansas
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 62.4% (7th highest)
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35. South Carolina
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years imprisonment and/or fine at discretion of court, when injury or loss is $10,000 or more
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 54.1% (14th lowest)
Source: damedeeso / iStock
36. Hawaii
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: N/A
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37. Alabama
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 10 years imprisonment and $15,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 59.5% (18th highest)
Source: palinchakjr / iStock
38. New York
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 4 years imprisonment and $5,000 fine (horse, mule, or cattle)
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 50.6% (2nd lowest)
Source: jvossphoto / iStock
39. Montana
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 2 years in prison and/or $2,500 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 61.3% (13th highest)
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Source: Andra Levins / iStock
40. Mississippi
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 56.4% (21st lowest)
Source: jmt0826 / iStock
41. South Dakota
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 2 years imprisonment in the state penitentiary and/or $4,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 65.6% (3rd highest)
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42. Idaho
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years imprisonment and/or up to $9,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 62.0% (9th highest)
Source: Joesboy / iStock
43. Maryland
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 3 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 52.3% (7th lowest)
Source: pavel_balanenko / iStock
44. Alaska
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and $50,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: N/A
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Source: Derek Wallentinsen / iStock
45. New Mexico
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 18 months imprisonment and $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 67.6% (2nd highest)
Source: soultkd / iStock
46. North Dakota
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: Yes
> Households owning pets: 53.9% (13th lowest)
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Source: Leppert / iStock
47. Utah
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 51.2% (4th lowest)
Source: rozdemir01 / iStock
48. Wyoming
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 2 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 61.8% (10th highest)
Source: DarcyMaulsby / iStock
49. Iowa
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and $7,500 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: Yes
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 53.6% (12th lowest)
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Source: JerryGrugin / iStock
50. Kentucky
> Maximum penalty for pet neglect: 5 years imprisonment and $10,000 fine
> Animals may be included in domestic violence protective orders: No
> Mandatory reporting by veterinarian: No
> Households owning pets: 61.6% (11th highest)
Detailed Findings & Methodology
In most states, the penalty for neglect, abuse, and abandonment are severe. In fact, as of 2014 when Illinois added felony provisions for animal abuse, every state in the nation considers a felony at least some form of animal abuse. In the past year, 16 states added additional felony provisions for recurring or aggravated animal neglect. Among these states, North Carolina has the weakest maximum penalty for such crimes, with up to six months of imprisonment and/or a fine at the discretion of the court. For comparison, although Alabama ranks lower in overall state animal protection laws, it enforces a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine for recurring or aggravated animal neglect.
Four of the top five states with the strictest animal cruelty legislation — Illinois, Oregon, California, and Maine — allow judges to include animals in protective orders. As Dunn explained, because domestic abusers are known to use family pets to manipulate and control their victims, such rules can be pivotal in keeping both animals and humans safe.
Veterinarians are perhaps the best suited to identify and report cases of animal abuse. In some states, veterinarians are granted immunity for reporting pet abuse. In 12 states, the laws go even further, making it mandatory for vets to report pet abuse. However, in Kentucky, the state with the lightest penalties for animal cruelty, veterinarians are actually prohibited from reporting pet abuse.
At least half of all households in the 48 contiguous states have pets. In Kentucky, for example, 61.6% of households in Kentucky own pets, the 11th highest share of any state. The share of pet-owning households differs by state, and particularly by region. For example, the three states with the lowest percentage of pet-owning households are in the Northeast. Massachusetts has the lowest percentage of pet-owning households at 50.4%. New York and New Jersey trail right behind Massachusetts at 50.6% and 50.7%, respectively.
At the other end of the spectrum is Vermont with a whopping 70.8% of households owning pets. While Vermont allows for animals to be included in domestic violence protective orders, it does not require veterinarians to report cases of suspected animal cruelty.
Overall, concerns for the well-being of pets and other animals is on the rise. For example, Vermont recently introduced anti-tethering laws this past year, which prohibits the tethering of a dog to a single point on its owner’s property for a long period of time. The state also strengthened its existing felony animal cruelty laws in 2017.
Ohio and Texas also have made improvements regarding an animal’s well being. Another important legislation passed in several states last year concerns bestiality — sexual contact between humans and animal. Ohio, New Hampshire, Texas, and Vermont passed bestiality laws, forbidding such acts. Texas went one step farther by regarding bestiality as a sex offense.
To identify the best and worst states for pets, 24/7 Wall St., reviewed the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s “2017 U.S. Animal Protection Laws Rankings.” We used the ALDF’s rank, which evaluates state animal protection laws and determines the penalties for animal abuse, reporting requirements for veterinarians, offender registration laws, general prohibitions, and much more. The maximum penalty for animal cruelty in each state came from the 2017 ALDF’s Animal Protection Laws. The percentage of pet-owning households came from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.
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