Section 525.135 - Torture of dog or cat(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Torture" means the intentional infliction of or subjection to extreme physical pain or serious injury or death to a dog or cat, motivated by intent or wanton disregard that causes, increases, or prolongs the pain or suffering of the dog or cat, including serious physical injury or infirmity. "Torture" shall include situations where the extreme physical pain, serious physical injury or infirmity, or death results from restraint of the dog or cat, which may include being: 1. Locked in a cage or kennel;2. Sealed in a plastic bag or box;3. Chained or tied down to restrict motion;4. Pitched in a dumpster;5. Abandoned in a building for three (3) days or more with no intention of returning or having made provisions for the animal's care;6. Physically restrained with tie wraps, rope, chains, or tape;7. Intentionally injured to cause immobility so that the animal cannot save itself from starvation, dehydration, physical impairment, serious physical injury or infirmity, or death; or8. Manually restrained; and(b) "Serious physical injury or infirmity" means physical injury or physical infirmity that creates a substantial risk of death, protracted loss, or impairment of the function of the limb or bodily organ caused by willful or wanton disregard while restrained. As used in this paragraph: 1. "Physical infirmity" includes intentional starvation, dehydration, hypothermia, hyperthermia, muscle atrophy, restriction of blood flow to a limb or organ, mange or other skin disease or parasitic infestation for which medical care has been denied, denial of life-saving medical care or professional euthanasia while intentionally restraining with the intent to cause or the wanton disregard for extreme physical pain, serious injury, or death; and2. "Physical injury" includes substantial physical pain, serious injury, or death intentionally caused by fractures, cuts, burns, punctures, bruises due to crushing, burning, drowning, beating, poisoning, suffocating, hanging, impaling or skinning alive, physical disfigurement, loss of function of a limb or body organ or other wounds or illnesses produced by violence or a thermal or chemical agent while intentionally restrained with the intent to cause or the wanton disregard for extreme physical pain, serious injury, or death.(2) A person is guilty of torture of a dog or cat when he or she, without legal justification, intentionally tortures a domestic dog or cat.(3) Torture of a dog or cat is a Class D felony.(4) Each act of torture of a dog or cat may constitute a separate offense.(5) Under recommendation of a veterinarian, a tortured dog or cat may be humanely euthanized after it is seized if it is still alive but suffering from the intentional torture that will lead to its death.(6) Nothing in this section shall apply to the killing or injuring of a dog or cat without intent to cause, or without wanton disregard of, increasing or prolonging the pain, suffering, or death of the dog or cat:(a) In accordance with a license to hunt, fish, or trap;(c) For veterinary, agricultural, spaying or neutering, or cosmetic purposes or breed-specific alterations such as cropping of ears, docking of tails, or declawing of a cat, all done by a veterinarian;(d) For purposes relating to sporting activities including but not limited to training for organized dog or cat shows, or other animal shows in which a dog or a cat, or both, participate;(e) For bona fide animal research activities, using dogs or cats, of institutions of higher education; or a business entity registered with the United States Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act or subject to other federal laws governing animal research;(f) In defense of self or another person against an aggressive or diseased dog or cat;(g) In defense of a domestic animal against an aggressive or diseased dog or cat;(h) For animal or pest control; or(i) For any other purpose authorized by law.(7) Activities of animals engaged in hunting, field trials, dog training other than training a dog to fight for pleasure or profit, and other activities authorized either by a hunting license or by the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources shall not constitute a violation of this section.(8) The acts specified in this section shall not constitute cruelty to animals under KRS 525.125 or 525.130.Amended by 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 81,§ 1, eff. 7/15/2024.Effective:7/15/2008
Amended 2008, Ky. Acts ch. 136, sec. 1, effective7/15/2008. -- Created 2003, Ky. Acts ch. 181, sec. 1, effective 6/24/2003.