Mississippi treats severe neglect and hoarding-style conditions as criminal cruelty under the Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law and broader cruelty statutes. The criminal code applies uniformly across all cities and counties.
Miss. Code Section 97-41-16, the Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011, makes it a misdemeanor of simple cruelty to intentionally or with criminal negligence deprive a dog or cat of adequate food, water, shelter, or to confine in a cruel manner. Aggravated cruelty, including torture, maiming, starvation, or burning, is a felony carrying up to ten years imprisonment and significant fines. Miss. Code Section 97-41-1 reaches livestock and other animals. Courts may order seizure on probable cause, appoint temporary custodians, and require restitution for veterinary costs. Local cruelty ordinances may add penalties but cannot reduce these criminal protections.
Failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or sanitary conditions, or confining excessive animals causing suffering, can trigger seizure, misdemeanor charges, or felony aggravated cruelty prosecution.
Southaven, MS
Southaven, Mississippi does not adopt a decibel-based noise ordinance and does not establish set numerical quiet hours. The city instead applies a general nu...
Southaven, MS
Southaven addresses barking dogs as a public nuisance under local animal control ordinances. Continuous or excessive barking complaints are handled through a...
Southaven, MS
Southaven regulates amplified music and outdoor sound systems through local noise ordinances. Amplified sound is generally restricted during quiet hours from...
Southaven, MS
Southaven regulates leaf blower use primarily through general noise ordinance hours. Mississippi municipalities generally allow gas and electric blowers duri...
Southaven, MS
Southaven limits construction noise to daytime hours, typically 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays and 8 AM to 5 PM Saturdays, under local building and noise ordinances.
Southaven, MS
Southaven regulates RV and boat parking in residential areas through local zoning ordinances. Vehicles must typically be stored in side or rear yards behind ...
See how Southaven's animal hoarding rules stack up against other locations.
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