Dangerous Dogs and Animal Cruelty
People need protection from dangerous animals, and animals need protection from dangerous people. When a dog kills or seriously injures a person, law enforcement agencies determine whether the dog’s owner or caretaker committed a crime—something punishable by law.
For an overview of criminal charges that may apply when a dog bites, mauls, or kills a person, visit Criminal Penalties for a Dog Bite.
When a dog is injured or killed, authorities investigate whether it was due to cruelty, which can lead to criminal charges. Learn how one state (California) addresses this issue on Cruelty Toward Dogs.
To understand how self-defense applies in cases involving dogs—both for human protection and legal liability—see Self-Defense When a Dog Attacks a Person and the related pages linked there.
Can I Shoot a Dangerous Dog?
Causing the Death of a Person by a Known Vicious Animal
Criminal Penalties for Dog Bites
Death As First Degree Murder
Death As Second Degree Murder
Defending Against Criminal Charges: Case Study of People V. Maureen Faibish
Defending Against Criminal Charges: Double Jeopardy
Felony Conviction for Mayhem Where an Injury Is Especially Serious
Felony or Misdemeanor for Injury by Dog Trained to Fight, Attack or Kill
Felony or Misdemeanor for Injury by Vicious Dog or “Mischievous Animal”
Felony or Misdemeanor for Using Dog As Deadly Weapon
Lesser used criminal laws
Manslaughter Resulting from Death Caused by Negligence
Manslaughter Resulting from Death During Commission of Misdemeanor Per Misdemeanor – Manslaughter Rule
Misdemeanor Based Upon Degree of Injury Caused by Attacking Dog
Misdemeanor for Destruction of Attacking Dog Needed As Evidence
Misdemeanor to Fail to Quarantine or Produce Animal, or Give Information About Animal
Service Animals – Crimes
Why They Quarantined Your Dog
Abandonment of Dog or Cat
Animal Fighting and Worrying
Birds, Eggs and Nests in Cemetery
Carrying in a Vehicle in a Cruel Manner
Chicks, Rabbits, Ducklings, or Other Fowl As a Prize, Colored, Inadequate Food and Water
Cruelty Toward Dogs
Definitions of Terms
Dog and Cat Pelts
Dog Fighting as Animal Cruelty
Failing to Provide Proper Care and Attention
Failing to Supply Wholesome Food and Water
Failure to Provide Adequate Exercise Area
Guide, Signal and Service Dogs
Limitations for Game Laws, Dangerous Animals, Medical Research
Maiming, Torturing, Wounding or Killing
Pet Shop Cruelty
Pets As Food for Humans
Poisoning any animal
Police Dogs and Police Horses