V.I. Code tit. 14, § 180 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 14 - Crimes|Chapter 7 - Animals and Birds|§ 180. Definitions

 The following terms, wherever used or referenced in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: (a) “Adequate care” means the provision of adequate food, clean water, shelter, sanitary conditions, exercise, rest, and veterinary medical attention in order to maintain the animal in a state of good health. (b) “Adequate food” means the provision, at suitable intervals, of wholesome foodstuff, suitable for the species and age of the animal and adequate to maintain a reasonable level of nutrition to allow for proper growth and weight in the animal, all of which foodstuff is served in a safe clean dish or container. (c) “Animal” means any non-human mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian but does not include any pest that might be exterminated. (d) “Animal impound” means any premises designated by the Commissioner of Agriculture, or his designated agent, for the purpose of impounding and caring for animals. (e) “To cause or permit unjustifiable pain” includes overloading, overworking, overdriving, over exercising, tormenting, unjustifiably beating or cruelly whipping an animal, using a disabled animal, maliciously abandoning or restraining an animal. (f) “Humane society” and “animal shelter” mean a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the Virgin Islands as a humane society or shelter, or as a society or shelter for the prevention of cruelty to animals. (g) “Maliciously” means intentionally acting with a depravity of mind or reckless and wanton disregard for life. (h) “Neglect” means to fail to sufficiently and properly care for an animal to the extent that the animal's health is jeopardized. (i) “Owner” means any person that (1) has a right of property in an animal, (2) keeps or harbors an animal, (3) has an animal in his care, or (4) acts as a custodian of an animal. (j) “Person” includes any individual, partnership, corporation or association. (k) “Serious physical injury” means any injury that results in a serious or permanent impairment of a bodily function, leaves the animal disfigured or causes prolonged pain or impairment of health. (l) “Shelter” means continuous and adequate protection from the elements, suitable for the age and species of animal and weather conditions, to maintain the animal in a state of good health, including appropriate space or provisions for adequate exercise. (m) “State of good health” means freedom from disease and illness and in a condition of proper cleanliness, body weight, and temperature for the age and species of the animal, unless the animal is undergoing appropriate medical treatment. (n) “Unnecessarily kills an animal” means an act that is not reasonably necessary to terminate an animal's suffering, to protect the life of the actor or another person or animal, or if other means of disposing of an animal exist which would not impair the health or well being of the animal. (o) “Provision of adequate water” means provision of potable water made continuously available in a safe, clean dish, receptacle or container.