Wyoming Statewide Rule

Wyoming Animal Neglect and Hoarding Cruelty Law

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Wyoming (2026)

Key Facts

Statutes: W.S. 6-3-1002, 6-3-1003(c), 6-3-1010
First offense: Up to 6 months, $750 fine
Repeat within 5 years: Fine up to $5,000
Each animal: Separate count for prosecution
Seizure: Impound plus court forfeiture hearing

Last verified: July 31, 2026

Summary

Wyoming has no standalone hoarding statute. Large-scale neglect is prosecuted as cruelty under W.S. 6-3-1002 and as keeping household pets in unsanitary, public-health-hazard conditions under 6-3-1003(c), with impoundment and forfeiture available.

(iv) Has the charge and custody of any animal and under circumstances which manifest extreme indifference to the animal's safety, health or life: (A) Fails to provide it with proper food, drink or protection from the weather adequate for the species; (B) Abandons the animal... (C) In the case of immediate, obvious, serious illness or injury to the animal, fails to provide the animal with appropriate care; or (D) Keeps any household pet in a manner that results in chronic or repeated serious physical harm to the household pet.

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Full Breakdown

Wyoming folds hoarding into its cruelty statute. Under W.S. 6-3-1002(a)(iv), anyone with charge and custody of an animal who, with extreme indifference to its safety, health or life, fails to provide adequate food, drink or shelter, abandons it, withholds care for serious illness, or keeps a household pet in a manner causing chronic or repeated serious physical harm commits cruelty. W.S. 6-3-1003(c) separately makes it a misdemeanor to keep a household pet confined in conditions constituting a public health hazard. Each animal is a separate count. A peace officer with probable cause may impound cruelly treated animals, triggering a circuit-court bond and forfeiture hearing under W.S. 6-3-1010.

Violations & Penalties

A first cruelty or 6-3-1003 offense carries up to six months in jail and a $750 fine; a second within five years raises the fine to $5,000. Courts may order forfeiture of every animal involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wyoming have an animal hoarding law?

No standalone hoarding statute exists. Hoarding is prosecuted as cruelty under W.S. 6-3-1002 and as keeping pets in unsanitary, public-health-hazard conditions under W.S. 6-3-1003(c).

Can hoarded animals be seized?

Yes. Under W.S. 6-3-1010, a peace officer with probable cause may impound cruelly treated animals; the owner must post a bond after the circuit-court hearing or the animals are disposed of.

When does neglect become a felony?

Neglect is a misdemeanor, but torturing, mutilating or killing an animal with intent to cause suffering is felony cruelty under W.S. 6-3-1005, punishable by up to two years and forfeiture.

Sources

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