Tennessee Statewide Rule
Tennessee Animal Cruelty and Hoarding Penalties
Key Facts
- Cruelty statute
- T.C.A. 39-14-202
- Aggravated cruelty
- Class E felony
- Felony prison
- 1-6 years
- Forfeiture
- Court-ordered animal seizure
Summary
Tennessee animal cruelty statutes apply uniformly statewide and treat aggravated cruelty as a felony, allowing prosecution of hoarding cases regardless of city or county ordinances.
A person commits aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, the person intentionally or knowingly: (1) Kills, maims, tortures, crushes, burns, drowns, suffocates, mutilates, starves, or otherwise causes serious physical injury, a substantial risk of death, or death to a companion animal; or (2) Fails to provide food or water to the companion animal resulting in a substantial risk of death or death.
Full Breakdown
T.C.A. 39-14-202 defines animal cruelty as intentionally or knowingly torturing, neglecting, or failing to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter. Aggravated cruelty under T.C.A. 39-14-212 is a Class E felony. While Tennessee has no statute using the term hoarding, prosecutors charge severe neglect cases as cruelty when conditions endanger animal welfare. State law preempts any local attempt to decriminalize neglect.
Violations & Penalties
Misdemeanor cruelty: up to 11 months 29 days jail and $2,500 fine; aggravated cruelty: 1 to 6 years prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is animal hoarding a specific crime in Tennessee?
Can a court order animal forfeiture in cruelty cases?
Sources
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