Scottsdale addresses animal hoarding through Scottsdale Revised Code Chapter 4 keeping limits and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control field investigations; criminal cruelty is prosecuted under Arizona Revised Statutes §13-2910 as a class 1 misdemeanor or class 6 felony.
Scottsdale Revised Code Chapter 4 (Animals) regulates animal keeping, licensing (required for dogs over 3 months per ARS §11-1008), and sanitation standards. Scottsdale contracts with Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MCACC) for field investigations at (602) 506-7387. Criminal animal cruelty is governed by ARS §13-2910, which covers 12 enumerated offenses ranging from intentional injury (class 6 felony) to negligent failure to provide food, water, or medical care (class 1 misdemeanor). Class 1 misdemeanor carries up to 6 months jail and $2,500 fine; class 6 felony up to 2 years prison and $150,000 fine. ARS §13-2910.04 separately prohibits cruel confinement. Scottsdale Code Enforcement at (480) 312-2546 handles property nuisance issues tied to hoarding (odor, sanitation, debris under Scottsdale Revised Code §39-5). Hoarding seizures follow ARS §13-2910.07 procedures with county attorney involvement. Behavioral health referrals coordinate through Maricopa County Human Services.
Exceeding keeping limits under Chapter 4: civil citation $100-$500 first offense. ARS §13-2910 class 1 misdemeanor: up to 6 months jail, $2,500 fine. Class 6 felony: up to 2 years prison, $150,000 fine. Animal seizure plus cost-of-care reimbursement under ARS §13-2910.07. Scottsdale Code Enforcement nuisance abatement: civil fines up to $2,500/day under Scottsdale Revised Code §1-8.
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