How does the state of Arizona define animal cruelty?
Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Arizona Humane Society and other animal advocates in the community, certain types of animal abuse gained Class 6 felony status in 1999, with the passage of Senate Bill 1174. Convicted abusers now face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Before this law was passed, all cases of abuse and neglect were prosecuted as misdemeanors and, despite the horrific nature of many of the crimes, convicted offenders received little more than probation and a fine. Now, Arizona law recognizes felony cases as those that are intentional and particularly egregious. They may include cruel mistreatment of an animal, defined as torturing or otherwise inflicting unnecessary serious physical injury upon an animal, or killing an animal in a manner that causes protracted suffering; and cruel neglect, defined as intentionally failing to provide an animal with necessary food, water or shelter. Felony cases are handled by the Maricopa County Attorneys Office,
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