Source: https://abplegal.com/practice-areas/criminal-law/animal-cruelty/
Timestamp: 2019-05-24 01:53:13
Document Index: 40041382

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 828', '§ 828', '§ 828', '§ 828', '§ 828', '§ 828']

Ocala & Gainesville Criminal Defense Attorneys | Animal Cruelty Defense
Practice Areas Criminal Law Animal Cruelty Attorneys
Ocala & Gainesville Criminal Defense Lawyers: Animal Cruelty Cases
Animal Cruelty Attorneys Tania Alavi, Christine Bird & Andrew Pozzuto are experienced with the complexities of Crimes involving animals. We will thoroughly investigate the allegations against you and strategize all available defenses in your case. Contact Alavi, Bird & Pozzuto, PA for immediate advice on your best course of action.
Animal Cruelty in Florida can result in serious penalties, including prison. Matter of fact, the Governor recently signed a bill into law making the penalties for illegal treatment of animals even more severe. Florida law protects cattle, horses, etc., as well as pets, likes cats and dogs. If you are charged with animal abuse in Florida, you could be facing fines, probation, and prison.
Florida Statute § 828.12 defines Animal Cruelty as treating an animal with cruelty or in an inhumane manner. Cruelty towards animals includes:
“Overloading, overdriving, or tormenting”
Depriving of food, water, or shelter
Mutilating or killing an animal in a cruel manner
Penalties: In Florida, the crime of Animal Cruelty is a First Degree Misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Florida Statute § 828.12 defines Aggravated Animal Cruelty as intentionally causing an animal’s cruel death or intentionally causing the animal to experience excessive or repetitive infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.
Penalties: In Florida, Aggravated Animal Cruelty is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
If the state proves the animal was tortured or tormented with the intent to injure, mutilate, or kill the animal, the penalties may also include a minimum fine of $2,500 and Psychological counseling or Anger Management Treatment.
Second Offense: Penalties for a second conviction for Aggravated Animal Cruelty include a $5000 fine, a minimum mandatory jail sentence of six months with no parole or early release.
Florida Statute § 828.08 defines Animal Poisoning as leaving a poisonous substance in a common area such as a street, alley, lane, or any yard other than your own.
Penalties: In Florida, Animal Poisoning is punishable by a maximum incarceration of 1 year and a maximum $1000 fine.
Animal poisons include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, insecticides, household cleaning products, rat poison, etc.
Florida Statute § 828.13 defines Animal Confinement as caging or tying up an animal without food, water, air, exercise, etc.
Penalties: In Florida, Animal Confinement is first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a maximum incarceration of 1 year and a maximum $5000 fine.
Florida Statute § 828.13 defines Animal Abandonment as leaving an animal to die or leaving it in a public place with water, food, protection, etc.
Florida Statute § 828.122, the Animal Fighting Act, defines Animal Fighting as baiting or forcing animals to fight.
Penalties: In Florida, Animal Fighting or Baiting is punishable by a maximum of 5 years prison and/or a maximum $5000 fine.
Related Charges: Being involved may land you in jail.
The state may prosecute you for:
Attending an animal fight
Betting or wagering money on an animal fight
Hosting animal fighting or animal baiting on your land
Advertising animal fights or charging an admission fee to see a fight
Refereeing an animal fight or providing security for the event
Breeding, transporting, possessing, or selling fighting animals
Possessing equipment used in animal fighting or baiting
If you have been accused, arrested or charged with Animal Cruelty, Animal Abandonment or Animal Neglect in the Gainesville area (Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties) or the Ocala area (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter Counties), contact Alavi, Bird & Pozzuto, PA immediately. Call (352) 732-9191 or tell us about your case using this form.
Don’t wait. Defending your rights, reputation and liberty begin with Florida Attorneys Tania Alavi, Christine Bird, and Andrew Pozzuto.